E3 Journal of Medical Research

E3 Journal of Medical Research Vol. 1 (4) pp. 057-062, May 2012; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2276-9900

Chemical composition of mistletoe extract (Loranthus micranthus) and its effect on the protein, lipid metabolism and the antioxidant status of alloxan induced diabetic rats

Abstract

The chemical composition of mistletoe and the effect of its aqueous extract on the protein, lipid metabolism and the antioxidant status of diabetic rats was investigated. Twenty male rats, weighing between 90 and 120 g were used. Alloxan was induced into the experimental animals at a dosage of 100 mg/kg body weight. The rats were divided into 5 groups: Group 1 (non-diabetic control) received normal rat feeds (growers mash). Group 2 (diabetic control) received the feeds given to group 1. Group 3 (diabetic) received 20% aqueous extract of mistletoe, group 4 (diabetic) received 40% of the extract while group 5 diabetic rats received 60% of the extract. The duration of the experiment was four weeks. Results indicate that all concentrations of the extract significantly ameliorated the blood glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, catalase and urea levels of the rats compared with the diabetic group (P < 0.05), 40 and 60% of the aqueous extract significantly ameliorated the altered protein status of the rats compared with the diabetic group while none of the concentrations of the extracts administered significantly ameliorated the altered weight of the rats compared with the diabetic and none-diabetic group. The extract possessed antioxidant activity as seen from the total phenolic content, reducing power test and the ameliorating effect on the catalase activity of the diabetic rats. It can be deduced that mistletoe extract has the potentials of ameliorating the hyperglycemia, altered protein, lipid metabolism and the antioxidant status of diabetics.

Keywords: Mistletoe extract, alloxan, antioxidant, diabetes, rats