Long-term anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidaemic effects of aqueous stem bark extract of Irvingia gabonensis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Irvingia gabonensis is used traditionally to treat diabetes. The antidiabetic effect of the seed extract has been demonstrated in human and animal models. This study was designed to evaluate the long-term anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidaemic effects of aqueous stem bark extract of I. gabonensis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Twenty four Wistar rats in three groups, normal control, diabetic control and I. gabonensis treated diabetic rats (TDR) were used for this study. Diabetes was induced in 16 rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at 65mg/kg body weight. Upon confirmation of diabetes, the treated diabetic rats were orally (by gavage) given aqueous extract of I. gabonensis bark at 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 24 weeks. Body weight was monitored weekly, while fasting blood sugar (FBS) and serum lipid profile (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol) were assessed at specific intervals for 24 weeks. I. gabonensis significantly (P<0.05) reduced the FBS of the treated diabetic rats to normal control levels 2 weeks after the commencement of treatment. The reduction of FBS was sustained till the end of the study (24 weeks). Furthermore, at various stages of monitoring, the extract reduced the STZ-induced elevation of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, and significantly (p<0.05) increased the STZ-induced decrease in HDL-cholesterol. Our study concludes that aqueous stem bark extract of I. gabonensis possess significant long-term anti-diabetic and hypolipidaemic effects. These anti-hyperlipidaemic effects as well as the presence of phytochemicals with recognizable anti-oxidant effects will be useful in the treatment of diabetic complications

Editorial: Announcing a New Editor, African Journal of Reproductive Health

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Long-term effects of three hypoglycaemic plants ( Irvingia gabonensis , Urena lobata and Carica papaya ) on the oxidative status of normal rabbits

Medicinal plants have been recognized to have therapeutic effects and they may also have toxic side effects. Our previous studies have shown that Irvingia gabonensis , Urena lobata and Carica papaya , locally used in Nigeria to treat diabetes, possess long term hypoglycaemic and anti-obesity effects on normal rabbits. In this study, the long term effects of aqueous extracts of I. gabonensis bark, U. lobata root and C. papaya leaves on the oxidative status of normal rabbits were monitored at specific intervals in the serum for 24 weeks, and in the tissues. Oxidative status was determined by measuring activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA). Significant (p<0.05) decreases were observed in some weeks in the serum MDA levels; also, liver and pancreatic MDA levels were significantly (p<0.05) lower for all treated rabbits. SOD and catalase activities in the serum and tissue of the rabbits treated with the medicinal plants were generally higher or statistical similar to control. Findings in this study showed that these hypoglycemic medicinal plants did not exert oxidative damage; in some instances, particularly in the pancreas, they were found to be protective against oxidative damage

Editorial: COVID-19: Perspectives and Reflections from Africa

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Editorial: Scoping AJRH operations and future directions

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