Effect of aqueous extract of black pepper and ajwa seed on liver enzymes in alloxan-induced diabetic Wister albino rats

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of black pepper and ajwa seed on liver enzymes in alloxan-induced diabetic Wister albino rats to show the preventive and ameliorating effects in hyperglycemic rats. Rats were divided into 6 groups; normal control rats, diabetic control rats, glibenclamide treated rats, black pepper treated rats, ajwa seed treated rats and black pepper plus ajwa seed treated rats. Hyperglycemia was induced in the treatments groups by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan at 150 mg/kg body weight. The extracts were administered via oral incubation, doses were glibenclamide 10 mg/kg, black pepper 50 mg/kg, ajwa seed 500 mg/kg and their mixture 500 mg/kg body weight for a period of 8 weeks. Serum glucose, AST, ALT and ALP were assayed using spectrophotometric method. Results showed that ajwa seed and mixture significantly reduced glucose level. AST level was significantly reduced by mixture treated group. No significant difference was observed between different aqueous extract treated group in ALT and ALP level. The study indicates that black pepper and ajwa seed extract to some extend normalized the glucose and liver enzyme activities in alloxanized diabetic rats. Keywords: Diabetes, Alloxan, Black pepper, Ajwa seed, Liver enzymes