Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 8 (7): 1025-1029, 2009 ISSN 1680-5194 © Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2009 1025 Anti - Diabetic Properties and Toxicological Studies of Triplochiton scleroxylon on the Heart Enzymes in Normal and Streptozotocin - induced Diabetic Rabbits T.P. Prohp and I.O. Onoagbe 1 2 Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, 1 College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Benin, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria 2 Abstract: The effects of orally administered aqueous bark extract of Triplochiton scleroxylon on the activities of some heart enzymes were examined. Some of the enzymes investigated in the plasma of normal and streptozotocin - induced diabetic rabbits were glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase. Rabbits of New Zealand strains, weighing between 1.45 to 1.95kg were used. Experimental diabetes was induced in the test rabbits by intra - peritoneal injection of streptozotocin at the dose of 70mg/kg body weight. Blood was collected for analyses, intravenously from the large veins at the back of the ears of the rabbits. Glucose concentration decreased significantly (P < 0.05) on the 13th day in normal rabbits but in streptozotocin – induced diabetic rabbits significant decreases were observed on the 12th, 24th and 28th days of administration of the extracts. Some of the heart enzymes investigated in normal and streptozotocin - induced diabetic rabbits were not affected significantly (P > 0.05) after 13 and 28 days of administration of the extract respectively. On the basis of this research, extract of Triplochiton scleroxylon may be useful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus with the added advantage that it may not contain destructive chemical substances capable of damaging the heart. Key words: Heart enzymes, diabetic rabbits, Triplochiton scleroxylon INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus is one of the oldest diseases of man that affects millions of people all over the world. In its age long existence, it has no known cure (Onoagbe and Esekheigbe, 1999). The use of insulin and other orthodox drugs as panacea had lead to diverse complications some of which are life - threatening. Consequently, plants are being explored as a possible remedy in nearly all countries of the world (Sofowora, 1984; Gill, 1992; Marrif et al., 1995; Liaguat et al., 1994; Kako et al., 1996). Triplochiton scleroxylon is one of the over 30 medicinal plants used by Nigerian diabetics to treat their conditions, especially amongst the rural and impoverished urban dwellers (Onoagbe et al., 1999). It is of the family, sterculiaceae and is identified by the following common names: Epo arere, obeche (Nigeria), samba (Ivory Coast), ayous (Cameroon), wawa (Ghana) and abachi (Germany, Holland). This plant is widely distributed in tropical West Africa from Guinea to Cameroon along waterways and on abandoned farms in the transition zone between the humid evergreen and semi deciduous forests (Richter and Dallwitz, 2000). Earlier investigations had shown that the aqueous bark extract of Triplochiton scleroxylon did not have significant effects on the red blood cell and associated parameters and white blood cell differentials in alloxan - induced diabetic rabbits (Prohp et al., 2006b; Prohp and Onoagbe, 2008). Studies further showed that aqueous extract of this plant did not have significant effects on the liver specific enzymes in normal and streptozotocin - induced diabetic rabbits (Prohp and Onoagbe, 2008). This work therefore ascertains possible effects of the aqueous bark extract of this plant on the heart of rabbits. This is with the view of understanding some of the side effects that may be associated with the use of this herb as an anti - diabetic antidote. MATERIALS AND METHODS Animals: Male and female rabbits of the New Zealand strain, weighing between 1.45 and 1.95kg were used. They were maintained under standard animal house conditions and allowed free access to food (growers mash) and water for a period of 2 weeks to acclimatize to the new environment. Chemicals: Enzyme kits used were obtained from Randox Laboratories Ltd, United Kingdom. Chloroform was procured from BDH Chemicals Ltd (Poole, Dorset, UK) while streptozotocin was purchased from Sigma Chemicals Company Ltd (St Louis, USA). All other chemicals were of Analar grade and were purchased from standard suppliers. Medicinal plants: The barks of Triplochiton scleroxylon were obtained from medicinal herb dealers at Oyingbo market, Lagos. They were identified by experts in Botany