Determination of Genomic DNA Concentration and Purity in Diabetic Rats (Rattus norvegicus) Treated with Aqueous Extract of Saccharum officinarum Stem Bark

Reliable measurement of genomic DNA quantity and quality is a fundamental variable in diabetic research. The aim of the research was to evaluate the quantity and quality of dsDNA in the liver of type 2 induced diabetic rats after treatment with aqueous extract ofSaccharum officinarum stem bark. 25 apparently healthy young male rats (5-6 weeks old; weighing between 40-60g) were procured for the study. Diabetes was induced via high fat diet feeding for 12 weeks followed by STZ injection (40 mg/kg bw). 15 rats were confirmed diabetic after induction and used for the study. An additional group (normal control) of 5 rats was administered distilled water 1 ml/kg bw.A diabetic group was administered normal saline 1 ml/kg bw, another group was treated with metformin 500 mg/kg bw, while the last group was treated with 500 mg/kg bw of the extract. Treatments lasted for 14 days via the oral route. Liver tissue samples were collected after anaesthesia with ketamine via dissection and preserved in liquefied nitrogen for genomic studies while blood glucose level was checked in serum of rats with a test kit. Genomic dsDNA was extracted from homogenized liver tissues. The yield and purity was estimated via nanodrop spectrophotometry at an absorbance of260nm and an absorbance ratio A260/280. The Results showed decrease in the fasting blood glucose level in the serum of the treated rats which was significant (p<0.05). Likewise, dsDNA yield and purity was increased in the treated rats and it was significant (p<0.05). In conclusion the aqueous extract of Saccharum ofjicinarum stem bark was able to ameliorate the diabetic condition in the rats by causing an increase in the genomic DNA yield and purity in addition to attenuating hyperglycaemia in the rats

Key Words: Diabetes mellitus, DNA yield, DNA purity, Nanodrop spectrophotometry