International Research Journal of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Vol.4 (1), pp. 1-8, January 2019 Available online at http://www.journalissues.org/IRJMBS/ https://doi.org/10.15739/irjmbs.19.001 Copyright © 2019 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article ISSN 2488-9032 Original Research Article Antidiabetic potentials of herbal content of 1960 drink and effect on liver enzymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats Received 27 November, 2018 Revised 12 January, 2019 Accepted 21 January, 2019 Published 28 January, 2019 Etah E. Nkanu* 1 , Kayode Dasofunjo 2 , Ujong Peter Ujong 2 and Kebe E. Obeten 3 1 Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Okuku Campus, Nigeria. 2 Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Okuku Campus, Nigeria. 3 Department of Anatomy and Forensic Anthropology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Cross River University of Technology, Calabar, Okuku Campus, Nigeria. *Corresponding Author Email: nkanuee@yahoo.com Tel. : +2347030299991 +2348143303279 Most herbal formulation are preserved and served in alcohol concentrations now named bitters. Whether the resultant effect is herbal dependent or alcoholic, remains an issue of concern. The aim of this study therefore, was to find out the effect of 1960 herbal alcoholic consumption on blood glucose level, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and serum liver enzymes levels. Twenty (20) male Wistar rats weighing between 180g-300g were randomly selected into four groups containing five rats each. Group 1(Control) received normal rat feed and water. Group 2 (Diabetic untreated) received intraperitoneal injection of 60mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin. Group 3 (Diabetic treated) group received 3mg/kg body weight of 1960 herbal drink extract while Group 4 received 3mg/kg body weight of 1960 herbal drink extract only. Treatment lasted for 28 days. Phytochemical study of 1960 drink revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoid, saponins, and cardiac glycosides. There was a significant (p<0.01) decrease in G6PD, increased aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alanine phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the diabetics. The 1960 herbal alcoholic drink significantly (p<0.05) reduced blood glucose level, serum AST, ALT and ALP and increased albumin concentration and body weight when compared with the non-diabetic groups. The spectrum of alterations from these results is an indication that 1960 herbal drink contains hypoglycemic agents which enhances its antidiabetic effect and protects the functional integrity of the liver. Key words: Hyperglycemia, streptozotocin, 1960 herbal drink, Glucose-6- phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, liver enzymes. INTRODUCTION The desire for man to cure or look for a more result oriented and sustainable management of metabolic disorders such as Diabetes mellitus and associated cardiovascular problems has led to heightened curiosity in the quest for herbal derivatives or products to sustain life. Sometimes, depending on the life style and hereditary factors, chronic metabolic syndrome may result (Jayakar and Suresh 2003). In such conditions characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin deficiency, Diabetes mellitus may result. Hyperglycemia may however, perpetrate bodily dysfunction beyond just insulinaemia nephropathy and retinopathy reported in other literature.