Anti-diabetic activities of Chromolaena odorata methanol root extract and its attenuation effect on diabetic induced hepatorenal impairments in rats

Chromolaena odorata is a medicinal plant whose root has not been reported for detailed anti-diabetic properties. Hence, this study investigated the anti-diabetic properties of the methanol root extract of Chromolaena odorata and its effect on biochemical parameters in alloxan induced diabetic rats. In-vitro studies were carried out using α-amylase inhibition, glycosylated heamoglobin inhibition and glucose uptake test in yeast cells. Twenty (20) alloxan (120 mg/kg bw) induced diabetic rats were divided into 4 groups and treated with 0, 300 and 600 mg/kg bw of the extract and 5 mg/kg b.wt glibenclamide respectively. All treatments were administered daily for 14 days through oral route with the aid of esophageal cannula. Five (5) rats were also set up as normal control. Serum biochemical parameters were analysed. Chromolaena odorata exhibited strong inhibition of α-amylase activity and glycosylated heamoglobin with IC 50 values; 533.05 μg/ml and 679.12 μg/ml respectively Extract doses of 300 and 600 mg/kg bw exhibited 49.86% and 68.30% in vivo hypoglycemic effect and increase the weight gain of animals to 13.23 ± 0.67 g and 13.87 ± 0.67 g respectively. The concentrations of sodium, chloride, bicarbonates, aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total proteins were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated while albumin, direct and total bilirubins were lowered in diabetic untreated rats when compared with the control Treatment with extract at 300 and 600 mg/kg bw significantly (p < 0.05) restored the concentrations of AST, ALP, albumin, total proteins, direct and total bilirubins towards their normal levels but could not significantly (P > 0.05) attenuate the elevated sodium, chloride, bicarbonates, urea and creatinine concentration when compared with the untreated control. Chromolaena odorata root extract exhibited anti-diabetic and protective effect against diabetic induced hepatic impairment. However, diabetic induced renal impairment was not attenuated by treatment with Chromolaena odorata in rats.