HYPOLIPIDEMIC AND PLASMA PROTEINS STABILIZING EFFECT OF GONGRONEMA LATIFOLIUM IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Gabriel Otu Ujong*, Justin Atiang Beshel, Nkanu Etah Etah, Idara Asuquo Okon and Daniel Udofia Owu

ABSTRACT

Objectives: Gongronema latifolium (GL) is a medical plant with myriad healing potentials. But it’s effect on serum lipids and proteins in diabetic condition has net been elucidated. This work was therefore designed to evaluate the effect of ethanolic leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium on lipid profile and plasma proteins in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: A total of 40 Wistar rats of both sexes initially weighing between 150g-200g were divided into five (5) groups of eight (8) rats each. Group 1 was the normal control (administered normal saline placebo orally). Group 2 received 200mg/kg GL orally. Group 3 was the diabetic group administered 65mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally for two days with an interval of one day in between, their blood was collected via the tail vein for glucose determination using a portable glucometer. Group 4 was the diabetic + 200mg/kg GL group. Group 5 was the diabetic + insulin (subcutaneously). The feeding regimens lasted 28 days. Blood samples were collected via cardiac puncture. Results: There was a significant (p<0.05) increase in the glucose level of the diabetic group compared to the control. Intervention with GL and insulin significantly reduced the glucose level towards normal. High density lipoprotein was significantly (p<0.01) decreased in the diabetic group with a corresponding increase in total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, triglycerides, and very low lipoprotein. Treatment with GL and insulin reversed the changes towards normal. There is also a decrease in total serum protein in Gongronema latifolium treated group when compared with the insulin treated group, also a corresponding significant decrease in globulin and albumin level in the GL+DM treated group compared with the diabetic group. Conclusion: Gongronema latifolium leaf extract has an hypolipidemic potential and also stabilizes plasma proteins levels in diabetic condition and target organ.

Keywords: Gongronema Latifolium, Diabetes Mellitus, serum lipids, Proteins, STZ, insulin.