AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF OKRA [Abelmoschus esculentus L. (Moench)] ON BLOOD GLUCOSE AND LIPID PROFILE OF DIET-INDUCED TYPE-2 DIABETIC WISTAR RATS
Ogunkunle MO*, Gafari OY, Ejoh SI
Department of Human Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 11(1): 008-015 ; 2019
ABSTRACT
Prevalence of type-2 diabetes (T2DM) is rising despite the volume of researches regarding its management. Thus, novel methods for managing the disease are being explored. This study evaluated the effect of dried powder and aqueous extract of okra on blood glucose and lipid profile of type-2 induced diabetic Wistar rats. T2DM was induced in 30 matured male Wistar rats (200-250 g) using high-fat diet for 12 weeks plus a single dose of streptozotocin (25 mg/kg/b.w, i.p). Rats were assigned into five groups (n=6): non-diabetic, diabetic untreated, diabetic treated with dried whole okra powder (200 mg/kg/b.w), diabetic treated with okra aqueous extract (200 mg/kg/b.w) and diabetic treated with metformin (100 mg/kg/b.w). Fasting blood glucose (FBG) and lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol)] were determined. Data were analysed using ANOVA at p<0.05. Aqueous extracts and dried whole powder of okra significantly reduced (p<005) FBG, TC, triglyceride and LDL-C in okra-treated groups compared to metformin treated and non-diabetics. High-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in okra-treated diabetic rats was significantly increased (p<0.05) compared to controls. Aqueous extracts of okra was more efficacious in reducing FPG (60±8.49 mg/dL vs 70.5±12.02 mg/dL; p<0.05), and LDL-C (8.48±0.60 mg/dL vs 15.89±2.97 mg/dL; p<0.05) compared to dried powder whereas dried powder okra proved efficacious in reducing triglyceride (40.05±1.99 mg/dL vs 70.9±1.12 mg/dL; p<0.05). Dried powder and aqueous extracts of okra were shown to possess both anti-hyperglycemic and anti-lipidemic effects. Therefore, okra could be an effective and affordable food in the management of T2DM.
Email of correspondence:morenikeogunkunle@gmail.com
KEYWORDS: Abelmoschus esculentus, Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus, Streptozotocin, Blood Glucose, Lipid Profile, Wistar Rat