Antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and protective effects of Gladiolus psittacinus on hyperglycemia-mediated oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVES: Gladiolus psittacinus (GP) is an important medicinal plant in folk medicine where its corm is used for treatment of diabetes mellitus. Despite this, there is paucity of scientific information to justify its use as antidiabetic drug. Hence, this study was designed to explore antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and effects of aqueous extract of Gladiolus psittacinus (AGP) on hyperglycemia-associated oxidative stress in pancreas, kidney and liver of diabetic rats. METHODS: Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in rats using streptozotocin 50 mg/kg (i.p.). Normal and diabetic rats were treated orally with AGP once a day for 14 days. Antidiabetic effects were evaluated on body weight, fasting blood glucose concentration (FBGC), lipid profiles and serum chemistry. Also, protective effects of AGP were also determined on markers of oxidative stress, antioxidant enzymes and histopathology of pancreas, kidney and liver of diabetic rats. RESULTS: Treatment with AGP emanated to significant decrease of FBGC (552.67-157.33 mg/dL), increase in body weight (100.01-133.76 g) and positive modulation of lipid parameters in diabetic rats. The alteration in the contents of markers of liver and kidney function were significantly modulated in the diabetic rats upon treatment. Also, oxidative damage and antioxidant depletions in pancreas, kidney and liver were significantly mitigated in treated diabetic rats. Structural aberrations in the histopathology slides of pancreas, kidney and liver were improved upon treatment. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that AGP could be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its related ailments, thereby justifying its usage in traditional medicine.

Proximate composition, minerals, vitamins, phytochemical constituents and anti-nutrient profile of Beilschmiedia mannii seeds and Combretum racemosum leaves for soup preparation.

Several vegetables are used in food preparation to improve the aroma, taste, appearance with less attention on the nutrient and anti-nutrient content. This study investigated the proximate, vitamins, minerals and anti-nutrients profile of Beilschmiedia manni seed and Combretum racemosum leaf. Proximate composition, vitamins, mineral analysis and anti-nutrient profile were determined using standard procedures. The proximate analysis revealed that C. racemosum contained high crude protein (19.18%), crude fat (22.20%) and energy value (449.11 kJ) but low carbohydrate (43.15%) compared to B. mannii with the high carbohydrate (64.25%) content. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of active phytochemicals in both samples. Thiamine, riboflavin and niacin were significantly (p < 0.05) high in B. mannii compared to C. racemosum. The level of macro minerals in B. mannii seeds and C. racemosum leaves was in the order of K > Ph > Na > Mg > Ca. Beilschmiedia mannii seeds and C. racemosum leaves respectively contained 45.00 mg/100 g and 163.00 mg/100 g oxalate, 70.00 mg/100 g and 113.00 mg/100 g phytate, 58.00 mg/100 g and 209.00 mg/100 g of tannin. This study has revealed that B. mannii seeds and C. racemosum leaves are potential sources of essential nutrients, phytochemicals and could play important role in food enrichment, formulation of dietary supplements and in disease managements.