EFFECT OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF FONIO MILLET ON THE HEPATIC HEALTH AND BODY WEIGHT OF DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects liver health and appetite. Natural therapies are often preferred over synthetic medications for treating DM. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Digitaria exilis (Fonio millet) extract on hepatic health and body weight of diabetic rats. A total of 200 g of Digitaria exilis powder wasextracted. Twenty-five adult male rats were divided into five groups of five rats each. Group I served as the normal control and received 2 ml of distilled water only. Diabetes mellitus was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg body weight of streptozotocin. Group II was negative control and was induced with diabetes without any treatment. Groups III and IV were induced with diabetes and subsequently administered 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of the extract, respectively. Group V was induced with diabetes and then treated with a standard drug (2.5mg/kg body weight metformin). The results of the study showed that the activities of AST, ALT, and ALP in diabetic untreated rats (Group II) were significantly elevated (p < 0.05). However, the administration of the extract significantly reduced the activities of AST and ALP, while there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in the activity of ALT between the treated groups and the normal control. The body weight of diabetic rats treated with the extract progressively increased during the treatment period. In conclusion, this study suggests that Fonio millet extract has therapeutic potential to enhance hepatic health in diabetic conditions.