The ameliorative potential of aqueous extract of <i>Hunteria unbellata</i> on alloxan—induced diabetes and hyperlipidemia in Wistar rats

Abstract

The use of aqueous fruit extract of unripe Hunteria umbellata in the therapeutic management of alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats was investigated. Thirty-five Wistar rats divided into 7 groups of 5 rats each were used for the study. Group 1 was the positive control. Diabetes was induced in Groups 2 -7 using 150 mg kg^-1 body weight of alloxan. Glucose levels were monitored for 72 hrs to confirm diabetes mellitus. Rats in group 2 received no treatment and served as the negative control while rats in Groups 3-7 received 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, and 2500 mg kg^-1 of aqueous fruit extract of unripe H. umbellata respectively. After 28 days, the animals were anaesthetized with chloroform and blood was collected through cardiac puncture for determination of biochemical and haematological indices. The results showed a significant reduction (p<0.05) in the average weights of the rats from 141.4±2.07 g before alloxan treatment to 130.4±8.14 g. However, treatment with 500-2500 mg kg^-1 of H. umbellata significantly (p<0.05) increased the weight of the rats to 141.0±1.41 g. The average fasting blood sugar (FBS) level of the rats before alloxan induction was 5.58±0.73 mmol/l, this increased 72 hours after alloxan treatment to 23.92±5.27 mmol/l. Treatment with 500-2500 mg kg^-1 of H. umbellata initiated a significant (p<0.05) dose-related reduction in FBS levels. There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in α-amylase (31.19±2.67 IU) and Glutathione reductase (55.77±9.66 mg/dl) activities in group 6 when compared to group 2 (18.04±0.82 and 18.07±1.94 mg/dl respectively). Total cholesterol (160.51±1.36 mg/dl) in group 2 was reduced to 95.63±1.61 mg/dl in group 5. In conclusion, H. umbellata has the potential to lower blood sugar and may be used in the management of diabetes.