Abstract

Abstract

This research aimed at determining the effect of sucrose and date (Phoenix dactylifera) extract in normal male wistar rats. The date extract was processed by drying, grinding and extracting with water while table sugar was merely dissolved in water to obtain 10 Brix respectively. Fifteen (15) male wistar rats of 9-10 weeks old were grouped into three groups of five rats per group. Group A (control) was fed regular rat feed and water, Group B was fed regular rat feed and sucrose solution, while Group C was given regular rat feed and date extract. The weight and the fasting blood sugar of the animals were taking at baseline and also weekly and every two weeks respectively. Daily food and water intake were recorded and the experiment lasted for four weeks when the plasma glucose concentration, glycosylated heamoglobin, serum lipid profile, liver function, and histopathology of the liver were determined. Feed intake of the control group was significantly higher than that of the other groups while sucrose and date extract consumption of the other two groups were significantly higher than water intake of the control group. Groups given sucrose and date extract had significant weight gain compared to the control group. Sucrose significantly increased the plasma concentration, glycosylated heamoglobin, low density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol and triglyceride but decreased high density lipoprotein (HDL) of the rats. While cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride were not significantly different for the control and the group given date extract. There was no significant difference in the aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and liver weight. The histopathology showed that both sucrose and date had adverse effect on the liver structure with sucrose having more pronounced effect on the liver compared to date. Date may be a better substitute to sucrose in terms of effect on blood sugar, lipid profile and histopathology of the liver.

Keywords: Sucrose, Date, Blood sugar, Lipid profile, Liver