2.8. Alloxan-Induced Diabetes in Rats

A single intraperitoneal dose of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/Kg) was administered to Wistar rats for the induction of DM [14]. The serum FBG of animals was measured three days after alloxan administration. Rats with FBG above 200 mg/dl were considered diabetic and used in the studies.

Group 1 was comprised of nondiabetic rats which were orally administered with normal saline. Group 2 served as a standard control in which diabetic rats were treated orally with a standard antidiabetic agent, Glimepiride (0.2 mg/kg). Group 3 was comprised of diabetic rats (negative control) which received normal saline only. Other groups comprised of diabetic rats receiving an oral daily dose of 250, 500, or 750 mg/Kg of aqueous or methanolic extract. Treatment was carried out for 14 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected from tail veins to determine FBG with the glucometer. On the 15^th day, the rats were anesthetized. Blood was collected by heart puncture for the determination of biochemical markers. Anesthetized rats were killed by cervical dislocation to remove the kidney and liver for histopathological evaluation. The complete blood count (CBC) and liver function tests (LFTs) and renal function tests (RFTs) were carried out on blood serum.

Isolated rat organs (liver and kidney) were kept in 10% formaldehyde. Small parts of the kidney and liver were embedded in paraffin wax, and tissue sections (5 μm thickness) were prepared with a rotary microtome. The tissues embedded in paraffin were stained with eosin and hematoxylin [13]. Stained tissues were visualized under a compound microscope for pathological alterations.