HISTOMORPHOLOGICAL, HYPOGLYCAEMIC AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF ACUTE ADMINISTRATION OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Persea americana SEED IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATS

Despite orthodox modalities, there is still a high demand for herbal preparations with anti-diabetic properties all over the world. The effects of many plants on glucose metabolism and hypoglycemia properties have been investigated. Aim: The histomorphological, hypoglycaemic and hepatoprotective effects of Persea Americana Seed Methanolic Extract in Alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats were investigated in this study. Methodology: Persea Americana seeds were collected, washed, air-dried, and ground into a fine powder and cold macerated in 0.5 L of water containing 80 percent v/v methanol for 72 hours at room temperature (26 – 280C) and filtered with Whatman filter paper No.1. The filtrate was condensed to dryness in vapour at 400C using water bath, yielding 9g (18% w/w) of a dark green semi-solid extract and stored in the refrigerator at 40C until use. Thirty adult male Wistar rats, weighing 150-200g, were divided into six (6) groups, each with five rats (n=5). Diabetes was induced in rats using a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg). Group 1 and 2 are the normal and diabetic control groups, respectively. In the diabetic group, groups 3, 4, and 5 were given 120, 240, and 480 mg/kg/day of Persea Americana Seeds extract, respectively, while Group 6 received 100 mg/kg/day of metformin for 14 days. The animals were sacrificed, blood samples were collected, and centrifuged to collect serum for biochemical analysis. The liver tissues were also harvested for histomorphorlogical and biochemical evaluations. The SPSS package, version 23 was used to analyze data obtained and the results were expressed as Mean ± SEM. The results showed that in groups receiving metformin and seed extracts, elevated blood glucose levels were significantly lower than in control groups (P<0.05), with the 240 mg/kg dose having the most hypoglycaemic potential. Persea Americana seed extract inhibited alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzymes and high antioxidant potential. The liver tissues of infected animals were also found to be recovering from the toxic effects of alloxan induction. The hypoglycaemic function of Persea Americana methanolic extract is mediated by enzyme inhibition and major antioxidant potentials, according to the report, which could enhance its anti-diabetic properties.