DIABETIC WISTAR RATS

The use of medicinal plants as traditional medicine is made possible as a result of the presence of bioactive metabolite in plants which form the basis of herbal medication. This study was carried out to assess the antidiabetic activity of cocoa extract and its effect on body weight, food and water consumption using normal and diabetes mellitus-induced wistar albino rats. Thirty five healthy male Wistar albino rats with average body weight of 200 g were purchased and grouped into 5 groups (A to E) with 7 rats in each group. Group A was normal rats fed with standard rat feed (Normal control). Group B was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed (Diabetic control). Group C was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed + 300mg/kg cocoa extract (Low Dosage). Group D was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed + 600mg/kg cocoa extract (Moderate Dosage). Group E was diabetic rats fed with standard rat feed + 900mg/kg cocoa extract (High Dosage). The result showed that there were significant differences in water and food intake of the rats across the treatment groups (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in fasting blood glucose levels of the rats across the treatment groups (p < 0.05). The histological plates also provide visual evidence of the effects of low dosage, moderate dosage, and high dosage of cocoa extracts on pancreatic tissue in a rat model of diabetes. While LD extract appears to have a positive impact on tissue architecture and islet regeneration, MD and HD cocoa extracts may have limited benefits in reversing diabetes-induced changes. These results provide a foundation for future research into the therapeutic potential of these extracts in managing diabetes.