EFFECT OF MANIHOT ESCULENTA LEAF ON THE LIVER LEVEL OF DIRECT BILIRUBIN IN STREPTOZOTOCIN TREATED RATS

This study investigated the effect of Manihot esculenta leaf extract on liver levels of direct bilirubin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Thirty rats were divided into six groups: basal control, positive control (STZ + 100 mg metformin), negative control (STZ only), and three treatment groups receiving 100 mg, 200 mg, or 400 mg/kg of M. esculenta leaf extract. At baseline, fasting blood sugar values were within the normal range, but by day 28 the Negative Control group showed a sharp increase to 556.6 ± 6.1 mg/dL, indicating severe hyperglycemia. In contrast, treatment with M. esculenta leaf extract produced significant dose-dependent reductions, with the 400 mg group recording near-normal levels (84.6 ± 5.9 mg/dL). Similarly, while diabetic rats in the Negative Control group experienced a progressive decline in body weight (100.8 ± 0.4 g to 73.8 ± 2.2 g), extract-treated groups maintained greater weight stability, especially at higher doses. Liver direct bilirubin concentrations were markedly elevated in the Negative Control (0.77 ± 0.03 mg/dL) but significantly reduced in the 400 mg treated group (0.48 ± 0.02 mg/dL), approaching the values observed in the Basal and Positive Controls. These findings demonstrate that M. esculenta leaf extract alleviates hyperglycemia, minimizes diabetesassociated weight loss, and improves liver function markers, highlighting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent in diabetes managemen