CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
Diabetes mellitus is a common chronic disease affecting a lot of people (Tabesh et al., 2013). More than 10% of deaths are attributable to diabetes mellitus and its related complications in patients over 35 years old. Sustained hyperglycemia can damage the liver, kidneys, nerves, heart and eyes (Dash et al., 2013). Macrovascular (atherosclerotic) and microvascular (nephropathy and retinopathy) disorders are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients (Dash et al., 2013). Oxidative stress functions on both sides, meaning that it help the progression and the development of diabetes and its complications (Ha and Lee, 2000). In the study of Ha et al, it was shown that oxidative stress is one of the important mediators of vascular complications in diabetes including nephropathy. High glucose produces reactive oxygen species as a result of glucose auto-oxidation, metabolism, and the development of advanced glycosylation end products (Ha and Lee, 2000).
Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), also known as serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), is a tissue enzyme that catalyzes the exchange of amino and keto groups between alpha amino acids and alpha-keto acids. AST is widely distributed in tissue principally cardiac, hepatic, muscle and kidney. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) are found in many body tissues include the heart ,muscle ,kidney brain and lung .it is also present in the liver. When body tissue or an organ such as the heart or an organ such the heart or liver is damage, these enzymes are released into the blood is directly related to the extent of the tissue damage (George et al.,2011). When certain cell are damaged , they may leak enzymes into the blood ,where ,they can be measured as indicator of cell damage (Prat and Kaplan,2000).
Low total protein levels can suggest a liver disorder, a kidney disorder, or a disorder in which protein is not digested or absorbed properly. Low levels may be seen in severe malnutrition and with conditions that cause malabsorption, such as Celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (Nelson and Cox, 2005).
Vernonia amygdalina is commonly called bitter leaf because of its bitter taste. It is a member of the Asteraceae family and a small ever-green shrub that grows all over Africa. It is reported to be a medicinal plant for diabetes and fever (Crellin et al., 1989). Bitter herbs are reportedly good for the body as they help tone the vital organs of the body like the kidney and liver. Ethnomedically, the leaves are consumed either as a vegetable (macerated leaves in soup) or aqueous extracts as tonics for the treatment of various illnesses (Igile et al., 1995). In the wild, chimpanzees have been observed to ingest the leaves when suffering from parasitic infections.
V. amygdalina extracts have also been reported to help suppress, delay, or kill cancerous cells. The biochemical assessment of bitter leaf extract in the management of conditions like diabetes and obesity has been reported by Imaga and Bamigbetan (2013). Bitter leaves have been reported to be used ethnomedically to manage these conditions (Imaga and Bamigbetan,2013).
1.1 Aim the study
The aim of the study was to determine the anti-diabetic effect of bitter leaves extract on AST, ALT activities and total protein in the serum and liver of alloxan-monohydrate induced diabetic rats.