Abstract

PROTECTIVE ROLE OF DACRYODES EDULIS SEED EXTRACT ON PANCREATIC HISTOPATHOLOGY AND GLYCEMIC CONTROL IN AN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RAT MODEL

Uzozie Chikere Ofoego* and Francis Oluchukwu Onu

ABSTRACT

Dacryodes edulis (Africa pear) is a common plant found in the tropics and its various parts have been employed in the treatment of ailments, while alloxan is used in laboratories to induce type 1 diabetes mellitus. This study investigated the effects of ethanolic seed extract of Dacryodes edulis on alloxan-induced pancreatic damage in male Wistar rats. Thirty rats were divided into six groups. Group 1 was the normal control; Group 2 received 1000 mg/kg/bw of the extract. Groups 3–6 were given 150 mg/kg/bw of alloxan to induce diabetes. Group 3 served as diabetic control, Groups 4 and 5 received 250 mg/kg/bw and 1000 mg/kg/bw of the extract, respectively, while Group 6 was treated with 5 mg/ml of glibenclamide. Treatments lasted 28 days. Blood glucose was measured weekly; insulin levels and pancreatic histology were assessed at the end. Results showed a dose-dependent reduction in glucose levels in Groups 4–6. Group 3 had significantly elevated glucose compared to control. Insulin levels decreased in Groups 2–4 but increased in Groups 5 and 6, though not significantly. Histology revealed islet destruction in Group 3, while Groups 4–6 showed moderate regeneration. The findings suggest Dacryodes edulis seed extract has hypoglycemic and tissue-repairing effects on damaged pancreas.

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