This research studied the effect of extract and fractions of Jatropha curcas leaf, on serum glucose, kidney function and tissue oxidative stress indices of diabetic Wistar rats. The design comprised of 6 groups (n=6) treated: Groups I (NC) and II (DC), the normal and diabetic controls, respectively, received 3% tween-80 and groups III - VI (diabetic rats) received 500 mg/kg bodyweight of Metformin (MF) and 200 mg/kg bodyweight each of ethanol extract (ELE), residue (ERF) and n-hexane (NHF) fractions, respectively. Thereafter, blood, kidney, and liver samples were obtained and used for biochemical analyses. The 14-day oral administration of ELE, ERF, NHF, and metformin lowered serum glucose relative to the DC (P<0.05), with ERF and NHF exerting a stronger glucose-lowering action than ELE (P<0.05). The bodyweights, as well as absolute and relative organ weights, were not significantly affected. The observed diabetes-induced hyponatremia, hypochloraemia, and hyperkalemia were ameliorated upon the intervention of ELE, ERF, NHF, and MF, which lowered K+ vs DC (P<0.05); ELE, NHF, and MF heightened Cl- vs DC (P<0.05). However, only MF improved the lowered Na+ level. The diabetes-induced oxidative stress was also modulated: increased CAT, SOD, and GSH, with a concomitant decrease in MDA in both liver and kidneys relative to the DC (P<0.05). Besides, validation of the antidiabetic claim, J. curcas leaf modulates hyperglycemia-induced oxidation stress and assuage some worrisome features of kidney dysfunction in diabetes, including hyponatremia and hyperkalemia.
