Abstract

E. E. Edet, M. I. Akpanabiatu* A. E. Eno, I. B. Umoh and E. H. Itam

The effect of Gongronema latifolium on serum cardiac enzymes in alloxan induced diabetic rat models and normal control rats were determined using graded doses of 80% ethanol extract of G. latifolium leaf. The serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CKMB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LD) were determined in diabetic Wistar albino rats; diabetic control and normal Wistar albino rats after 2 weeks administration of G. latifolium leaf extract. Serum CKMB and LD activities of all the experimental groups significantly (p 0.001) increased in diabetic rats when compared to non-diabetic rats. CK and LD decreased significantly in diabetic and non -diabetic rats treated with G. latifolium leaf extract when compared with the control. Equally, CKMB and LD of diabetic rats treated with G. latifolium leaf extract decreased significantly except CMB of group 4 and LD of group 3 animals. There were significant (p 0.001) decreased activity of serum AST in diabetic rats when compared to the non -diabetic rats. However, AST did not change significantly in non-diabetic rats while in diabetic rats AST increased significantly (p 0.001) when compared with their respective controls. These data suggest that the effects of G. latifolium leaf extract at our concentrations are not dose dependent and hepatotoxic. The extract of this plant is likely to be of biological significance in cardiovascular complication of diabetic and non-diabetic users.