Onyegeme-Okerenta, B. M. & Anacletus, F. C: J. Pharm. Sci. Innov. 2017; 6(1) 17 Journal of Pharmaceutical and Scientific Innovation www.jpsionline.com (ISSN : 2277 –4572) Research Article HEPATIC EVALUATION OF ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC ALBINO RATS TREATED WITH ETHANOL EXTRACT OF THE LEAF OF SENNA ALATA Onyegeme-Okerenta, B. M. * and Anacletus, F. C Lecturers Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Port Harcourt, PMB 5323, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria *Corresponding Author Email : blessing.onyegeme-okerenta@uniport.edu.ng DOI: 10.7897/2277-4572.06146 Received on: 14/03/17 Revised on: 22/03/17 Accepted on: 28/03/17 ABSTRACT Hepatic cells of alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats treated with oral administration of ethanol extract of leaf of Senna alata were evaluated. Forty rats were grouped into eight on weight bases. Diabetes was induced by a single intra-peritoneal injection (1650mg/kg) of alloxan monohydrate. After 120hours of alloxan injection, the rats from group 2-8 were confirmed diabetic with fasting blood sugar levels greater than 9.5mMol/L. Group 1 rats were not induced with alloxan and served as normal control. The extract of S. alata was administered twice daily for 21 days at a dose of 500mg/kg – 2500mg/kg in Groups 4-8 respectively, Group 2 was treated with a standard diabetic drug, ‘metformin’ while Group 3 (was untreated and represent negative control). Blood sample and liver tissue were collected for investigation of liver function markers: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), Total Bilirubin, Total Protein (TP) and Albumin (AL) as well as photomicrographs of the liver. When compared to the negative control, ALT, AST and ALP showed significant (p<0.05) decrease for 500-2500mg/kg treated groups. Similarly, Total protein showed significant (p<0.05) increase in 500-2500mg/kg treated groups when compared with the negative control. Total Bilirubin showed significant (p<0.05) increase in 2500mg/kg treated group and a significant decrease in 500 and 1000mg//kg treated groups and albumin showed significant (p<0.05) increase in 1000-2500mg/kg treated groups when compared with normal control. Results from photomicrographs indicated abnormal liver architecture for the negative control. The present investigation suggests that the extract may have a protective effect on hepatocytes. Keywords: Senna alata, alloxan-induced, diabetic, liver function markers, photomicrographs INTRODUCTION The use of plants in medicine predates written human history. Ethnobotany (the study of traditional uses of plants is recognized as an effective way to discover future medicine). Green plants synthesize and preserve a variety of biological products, many of which are extractable and used as chemical feed stocks or as raw material for various scientific investigations. Many secondary metabolites of plants are commercially important and of use in a number of pharmaceutical companies. However, a sustained supply of the source material often becomes difficult due to factors such as environmental changes, labour cost, cultural practices and over exploitation by pharmaceutical industries. 1 Over 120 therapeutic agents of known structure have been identified in about 90 species of plants so far investigated. 2 This small fraction has yielded some useful plant drugs which include vinblastine, vincristine, taxol, podophyllotoxin, camptothecin, digotoxigenin, codeine, aspirin, atropine, pilocapine, capsciscine, allicin, artemesinin ephedrine among others. 3 Of paramount importance is the isolation, identification of active principles and elucidation of the mechanism of action of the active compounds present in these plants. Where the active molecule cannot be synthesized economically, the product must be obtained from the cultivation of plant material hence, works in both mixture of traditional medicine and single active compound are very important. The scientific study of traditional medicines, derivation of drugs through bioprospecting and systematic conservation of the medicinal plants are thus of immense benefit. Senna alata is a tropical perennial herb which belongs to the family, Fabaceae. It has a thick downy branched shrub and its leaflets is 8-12 pairs having the lower leaf and upper ones being oblong-elliptic and broadly obviate respectively. 4 S. alata is native to Southeast Asia, Fiji, Northern Australia, Africa and Latin America. 5 It is an ornamental shrub which grows well in forest areas of West Africa especially in aquatic environment like ponds, rivers, ditches, roadsides and drainage channels. It is commonly called Ringworm shrub and this may be likened for its use in the treatment of fungal related diseases (fungicidal and fungistatic properties) like ringworm. In Nigeria, it is used locally in the treatment of several infections, which include ringworm and parasitic skin diseases. 6 S. alata has been shown to possess antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant activities and can be used as an abortifacient. 7 The leaves, roots and stem of S. alata have been reported to be useful in treating convulsion, gonorrhoea, heart failure, abdominal pains and oedema and are also used as purgative 6 . Leaf extract of S. alata is a good antioxidant and the compound obtained has been identified as a flavonoid and named as "Kaempferol". 8, 9 Pharmacological actions elicited by these medicinal plants is a function of the biological chemical compounds possessed by them called phytochemicals and they are found in the different parts of the plants, the roots, stems and leaves. 10 Phytochemicals, otherwise known as secondary plant metabolites have biological properties such as antioxidant activities, antimicrobial effects, modulation of detoxification enzymes, stimulation of the immune system, modulation of hormone metabolism and anti-cancer property. They equally help in ameliorating diseases. 11 Phytochemicals like phenols, tannins, saponins, alkaloids and flavonoids present in plants have been observed to give plants its antimicrobial