Antidiabetic and Haematological Effects of Chrysophyllum albidum Supplemented Diet on Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: The use of food in the management of diseases is an established art of science. It is essentially important in the management of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus where cure is not certain.

Objective: This study investigated the anti-diabetic and heamatological effects of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit-skin (CAFS) supplemented diet on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

Methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) and 70g/kg CAFS supplemented diet was used on STZ-induced diabetic rats to test its antidiabetic efficacy with some biochemical parameters and histological evaluation of liver and pancreatic tissues for a treatment period of twenty-eight days.

Results: The diabetic untreated rats exhibited hyperglycaemia accompanied with increases in glycosylated haemoglobin, plasma and liver lipid profile except high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) and white blood cell count while decreasing the body weight, insulin, hepatic glycogen and red blood cell levels. CAFS was significantly (p<0.05) effective in inhibiting hyperglycemia by 68%, decreased glycosylated haemoglobin by 20%, plasma and liver lipid profile except HDL-c and white blood cell count but increased the body weight by 17%, insulin, hepatic glycogen and red blood cell levels in comparison with diabetic untreated group. The results were comparable to glibenclamide (standard-drug). Histopathological studies on liver and pancreas of CAFS-treated rats showed regenerative effects.

Conclusion: This study has indicated that CAFS possesses antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic and ameliorative effect on diabetic induced abnormalities in haematological parameters, β-cell and liver tissue. The findings suggest that CAFS may be used as therapeutic adjunct in the management of diabetes.