The Effects of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench) Fruit Extracts on Diabetes Markers in Streptozotocin- Induced Diabetic Rats Volume 3 - Issue 2

Adewale M Esana¹*, Kabo Masisib^2,3,4, Khuong Leb², Rotimi E Alukod⁴, Charles O Olaiyaa¹ and Mohammed H Moghadasian^2,4

• ¹Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
• ²The Canadian Centre for Agri-Food Research in Health and Medicine, St Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre, Canada
• ³Department of Biological Sciences & Biotechnology, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Botswana
• ⁴Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, University of Manitoba, Canada

Received:March 12, 2021;   Published: March 22, 2021

Corresponding author: Esan Adewale Michael, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Ibadan, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nigeria

DOI: 10.32474/ADO.2021.03.000160

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Abstract

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent metabolic disorders in both developed and developing countries. The use of phytochemicals and dietary agents have gained popularity in the management of this disease. In this study, aqueous and ethanol extracts from okra fruits produced by conventional plants or plants pre-treated with Indole Acetic Acid (IAA) were tested for anti-diabetic efficacy. These effects were compared with those of glibenclamide in a Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model over 6 weeks. Injection of STZ resulted in a full-blown phenotype of diabetes. By 4 weeks of the study, plasma glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides levels were significantly increased when compared with those in non-diabetic control rats. These changes were associated with significant decreases in body weight and increases in food consumption. Daily administration of okra extracts or glibenclamide did not generate a significant effect on body weight status, food consumption or glucose levels. However, aqueous extracts from IAAokra resulted in significant reductions in plasma cholesterol and triglycerides levels. These lipid-lowering effects of IAA-extracts were similar to those of glibenclamide in this animal model. Future studies warrant an investigation of lipid-lowering agents of aqueous extracts of IAA-okra fruits in this and other animal models.

Keywords: Abelmoschus Esculentus; Indole Acetic Acid; Aqueous Extracts; Ethanol Extracts; Diabetic Rats; Streptozotocin

Abstract| Introduction| Materials and Methods| Determination of Blood Glucose| Statistical Analysis| Results| Discussion| Conclusion| Funding| Acknowledgments| References|