The effects of gavage treatment with Garcinia kola seeds on biochemical markers of liver functionality in diabetic rats were evaluated. A total of thirty (30) male albino wistar rats weighing between 240 – 250g were divide into six (6) groups of five (5) animals per group (n=5). The first two groups of rats; the non-diabetic control and nondiabetic treated groups received by gavage normal saline and 600mg/kg b.w of Garcinia kola seed powder suspended in normal saline (GKP) respectively. The last four groups which were made diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared alloxan monohydrate had one diabetic control group that received normal saline and three (3) diabetic treated groups which got 300mg/kg, 600mg/kg and 900mg/kg of GKP respectively. GKP was administered twice daily for 21 days. At the end of the treatment period, the rats were sacrificed and blood collected through cardiac puncture from where serum was obtained for biochemical analysis. GKP treatment significantly attenuated serum glucose, aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and urea levels of diabetic rats. It also significantly increased albumin concentration at a high dosage while significantly reducing the relative liver weight of diabetic rats. These findings therefore suggest that GKP is not only hypoglycaemic but also has the capacity to protect against liver damage secondary to diabetes mellitus.
