Hypoglycaemic potentials of frog oil in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

The hypoglycaemic potentials of frog oil in alloxan-induced diabetic rats were investigated. Thirty six male albino rats weighing 120.47±2.52 g was completely randomized into six groups (A-F) comprising 6 animals each. Animals in group A (control) were administered 1 ml of distilled water while those in groups B, C, D, E and F were induced with diabetes mellitus by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate (180mg/kg body weight) and in addition were respectively administered distilled water, metformin (a reference antidiabetic drug), 3, 6 and 9 mg/kg body weight of frog oil once daily. Treatment with the oil lasted for 14 days during which blood glucose level and selected biochemical parameters were determined. The results showed that there was significant (p<0.05) reduction in glucose levels in the group treated with 9.0 mg/kg body weight of the oil from 221.22±0.15 to 100.15±0.07 mg/dl, indicating the best antidiabetic activity of all the treatment groups. The oil also caused significant (p<0.05) decrease in serum total bilirubin levels from 8.73±0.07 µmol/L to 2.43±0.03 µmol/L; serum total cholesterol levels from 313.48±0.05 mmol/L to 232.40±0.19 mmol/L; liver aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activity from 76.93±0.02 U/L to 35.25±0.02 U/L; liver alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity from 85.52±0.05 U/L to 39.71±0.08 U/L respectively. Overall, these findings established the fact that frog oil has hypoglycaemic potentials and thus can be recommended for use in the treatment of diabetes. The results from biochemical parameters indicated that frog oil could also be explored in the control of some of the metabolic dysfunctions normally associated with diabetes.