Journal of Medicine and Health Research

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia which affects the redox state. Diabetic oxidative stress has adverse effects on the cellular composition which is unsafe for the islet. This study therefore determined the effect of Jatropha tanjorensis on pancreatic oxidative stress in diabetic Wistar rats. A total of 54 male Wistar rats weighing between 150-250 g were used for the study. The rats after acclimatization were grouped into 6 consisting of 9 (nine) male Wistar rats. Control 1 served as negative control, control 2 served as diabetic positive control while four diabetic groups labelled test groups 1,2,3 and 4 were treated with varying doses of 50 mg/kg b.w, 100 mg/kg b.w, 150 mg/kg b.w and 200 mg/kg b.w of Jatropha tanjorensis leaf extract respectively for 1 week, 3 weeks and 5 weeks. Blood glucose was estimated using glucose oxidase method. Catalase (CAT), Glutathione (GSH) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) were estimated using spectrophotometric method while Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was estimated through auto oxidation method. Data obtained were analysed using Fischer’s least significance test. Results showed Blood glucose level decreased significantly (p< 0.05) as dose of extract increased across the diabetic groups. The plant leaf extract treatment caused a significant increase (p< 0.05) in pancreatic oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT, GSH) when compared to positive control while MDA activity decreased significantly (p< 0.05). Histopathological slide of the pancreas showed protective activity of the plant leaf extract on the islets of the pancreas thus indicating that Jatropha tanjorensis can be regarded as an organic ‘preservative’ and hence, further screening and characterization should be carried out to develop the plant into a standard formulary.