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