Background: Diabetes mellitus has been identified as the leading cause of death from non-infectious diseases. The use of dexamethasone is on the increase due to wide array of its therapeutic effects. Therefore, the potential of dexamethasone to induce DM and ability of Annona muricata methanolic bark extract (AMMBE) to treat DM were studied.
Methods: The research was carried in Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Ibadan and lasted for twenty eight (28) days. Rats were allotted into four groups. Group B, C and D were induced with Dexamethasone (2mgkg-1) daily for 7 days i.p, while A was positive control group. B was induced without AMMBE administered, C was induced and treated with AMMBE at 400mgkg-1 and D induced and treated with glibenclamide (2.5mgkg-1b/w) for 14 days. Liver, kidney and pancreas were collected for histopathology.
Results: Dexamethasone induced diabetes after 7 days. Average blood sugar in induced groups (B, C and D) were 132.0±4.05a,129.0±1.41aand130.0±2.93a respectively. After administration of AMMBE, average blood sugar for C and D were 91.0±1.72b and 87.0±2.97c respectively. Clinical signs of alopecia, dehydration, paw-licking etc was seen. Massive loss of pancreatic cell mass after induction was seen. Liver lesions ranges from no visible lesion, accentuation and marked vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes in periportal areas. Kidney degeneration and multifocal coagulation necrosis of tubular epithelium were observed. Blood sugar post exposure to AMMBE and Glibenclamide were drastically reduced.
Conclusions: It could be concluded that prolonged use of dexamethasone has potential of inducing diabetes and AMMBE has antidiabetic effect which could be fully explored.
T.A. Oladipo: None. Y.D. Adeoye: None. O.O. Oladipo: None. J.O. Olukunle: None.
