ANTIDIABETIC PROPENSITY OF Tetracarpidium conophorum (AFRICAN WALNUT) SEED IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS
A. I. AIRAODION *
Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
P. I. EJIKEM
Department of Community Medicine, Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba, Nigeria.
O. A. I. OTUKA
Department of Surgery, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
E. O. EZIRIM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
I. O. ABALI
Department of Surgery, Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria.
M. U. NWOBODO
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Port-Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, Nigeria.
R. O. OMOLE
Department of Community Health Nursing, West African College of Nursing and Midwifery, Lagos State, Nigeria.
U. P. OKITE
Department of Haematology and Blood Transfusion, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
K. CHIKEZIE
Department of Haematology, Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) refers to a metabolic condition that could lead to high morbidity and mortality. Current therapies for DM are not without adverse effects and do not restore normal glucose balance. Consequently, this investigation aimed to assess the anti-diabetic propensity of Tetracarpidium conophorum seed on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Thirty-six Wistar rats were split into six groups of six rats each. Rats in groups 2 to 6 were induced with 150 mg/kg of Alloxan monohydrate. Animals in groups 1 and 2 were untreated; those in group 3 were administered Glibenclamide, while animals in groups 4, 5, and 6 were treated with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight of Tetracarpidium conophorum for 21 days. Blood glucose level and lipid profile were evaluated at the end of the period in all studied groups. In comparison to the normal control group and the diabetic control group, Tetracarpidium conophorum seed-extract administration resulted in lower glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C, and VLDL levels, while also increasing HDL levels (P0.05). Therefore, it may be inferred that consumption Tetracarpidium conophorum seed extracts orally for 21 days at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg each had positive effects on hypoglycemia. Further evidence that it may be helpful in the management and prevention of diabetes came from its effects on blood lipids and glucose levels in diabetic rats.
Keywords: Tetracarpidium conophorum seed, diabetes, alloxan, blood sugar, plant extracts, lipid profile