Saad Abdulkadir, Ameen Olanrewaju Adiru and Ahmed Funsho Abdulhakim
Biochemistry Unit, Science Laboratory, Technology Department, Institute of Applied Sciences, Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin Nigeria
(✉) Corresponding Author:Abdul7465@gmail.com
Received: Feb 22, 2026/ Revised: March 16, 2026/Accepted: Mar 20, 2026
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycaemia, electrolyte imbalance, weight loss, and progressive pancreatic damage, largely due to insulin deficiency and oxidative stress. This study investigated the effect of ethanolic extracts of Chrysophyllum albidum pulp and seed on body weight, serum electrolyte concentrations, and pancreatic histology in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The study was carried out in the Biochemistry Laboratory, Kwara State Polytechnic, Nigeria, using a randomized controlled experimental design. Forty-two male Wistar rats (150–200 g) were randomly divided into seven groups: normal control, diabetic control, metformin-treated diabetic group (50 mg/kg), and diabetic groups treated with pulp (CAP) or seed (CAS) extracts at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight for two weeks. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg body weight), and hyperglycaemia was confirmed after 72 hours. Body weight and fasting blood glucose levels were monitored, while serum bicarbonate, sodium, potassium, and chloride ion concentrations were determined using standard biochemical methods. Pancreatic tissues were examined histologically following haematoxylin and eosin staining. STZ-induced diabetes resulted in significant body weight loss, hyperglycaemia, and marked disturbances in serum electrolytes, characterized by elevated bicarbonate, sodium, potassium, and chloride levels. Histological examination of the pancreas in diabetic control rats revealed severe islet atrophy, reduced cellularity, and necrotic changes, confirming extensive β-cell damage. Treatment with metformin, CAP, and CAS significantly improved body weight, reduced fasting blood glucose levels, and normalized serum electrolyte concentrations toward values observed in non-diabetic controls. Notably, higher doses of CAP and CAS (200 mg/kg) produced more pronounced protective effects than lower doses. Histological findings in treated groups showed progressive restoration of pancreatic architecture, with increased islet size, improved cellularity, reduced necrosis, and near-normal morphology in high-dose extract-treated rats. In conclusion, ethanolic extracts of Chrysophyllum albidum pulp and seed exhibit significant antidiabetic, electrolyte-modulating, and pancreatic protective effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats. These effects may be attributed to the antioxidant and insulin-mimetic properties of bioactive phytochemicals present in the plant. The findings support the potential therapeutic use of Chrysophyllum albidum in the management of diabetes mellitus and its associated metabolic complications.
Keywords: Chrysophyllum albidum Body weight, Electrolytes concentration Pancreas, Streptozotocin (STZ), Diabetes, and Rats
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How to cite this article
Abdulkadir, S., Adirunwaju Adiru, A. O., & Abdulhakim, A. F. (2026). Effect of ethanolic extract of Chrysophyllum albidum pulp and seed on body weight, serum electrolytes concentration, and pancreatic histology of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Science Archives, 7(1), 1–27. https://doi.org/10.47587/SA.2026.7101
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