Hepatoprotective, Antioxidant and Hypolipidemic Potentials of Mucuna pruriens in a Diabetic Experimental Animal Model

Aims: This study investigates the effect of Mucuna pruriens leaves on the liver, antioxidant parameters and lipid profile of alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Methodology: Thirty-five (35) Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups with seven (7) rats per group. The experiment was designed as follows: Group 1 – NC, Normal Control; Group 2 – DBC, Diabetic Control; Group 3 - DG, Diabetic glibenclamide (Positive control); Group 4 - DMPL (Diabetic Mucuna pruriens extract Low – 50 mg/kg); Group 5 - DMPH (Diabetic Mucuna pruriens extract High – 100 mg/kg). The rats were fed with normal feed and drinking water ad libitum. The diabetic control, diabetic glibenclamide and the extract groups (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg) were induced with diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of 120 mg/kg bodyweight of alloxan monohydrate and confirmation was done using a glucometer. The positive control was treated with glibenclamide (6 mg/65 kg/day). Blood samples were collected from seven (7) rats in each group through the retro-orbital plexus of the eye after 28 days of treatment, thereafter, the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation under light ether anesthesia, and biochemical parameters were determined using standard techniques (Randox kits).

Results: Mucuna pruriens leaf extract lowered blood glucose levels across the groups treated with the extract. The diabetic rat fed with Mucuna pruriens extracts showed a significant (p<0.01) reduction in hepatic ALT (Alanine Transaminase), AST (Aspartate Transaminase) and ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) when compared to the diabetic control. Compared to the diabetic control, the extract groups showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in serum Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol with a significant (p<0.05) increase in HDL. The extract groups showed marked dose-dependent significant (p<0.05) increase in GPx over all other groups, and a significant (p<0.05) decrease in Malonaldehyde level when compared to the diabetic control group. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in the levels of Catalase, Superoxide dismutase, and Glutathione across the groups. There is a significant (p<0.05) increase in the level of Vitamin E of extract groups when compared to the diabetic control and diabetic glibenclamide group with a significant increase (p<0.05) in Vit. C level of extract group (50 mg/kg) when compared to all other groups.

Conclusion: This result of the study suggests that Mucuna pruriens have a beneficial effect on the hepatocyte and some lipid profile parameters while also increasing antioxidant defense of the body and may be of value in the management of diabetes and its complications.