Effects of Combined Garcinia kola and Kigelia africana on Insulin and Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) Levels in Type 2 Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND: Individual extracts of Garcinia kola and Kigelia africana have been shown to have therapeutic effects against a variety of variables linked to the development of diabetes mellitus. However, there is still a lack of information about the combined effects of these extracts on Insulin and Paraoxonase 1 (PON-1) in Streptozotocin-Nicotinamide-induced type-2 diabetic Wistar rats. METHODS: Forty-two young male rats (180-200g) were randomly divided into six groups (n = 7/group). Diabetes was intraperitoneally induced with 110 mg/kg of nicotinamide constituted in distilled water and fifteen minutes later with 65 mg/kg of streptozocin freshly prepared in 0.1M citrate buffer (pH of 4.5) and treated for six weeks as follows: the control rats received either 0.9% normal saline (NS) or 250 mg/kg extract by gavage. The remaining animals were diabetes induced and subsequently treated with either NS, graded doses of the extract (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg), or 5 mg/kg Glibenclamide + 100mg/kg Metformin. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) of the combined extracts was also analyzed to identify the bioactive compounds present in it. Insulin, PON-1 levels, lipid profiles, and atherogenic index were assessed. RESULTS: Our findings show that Insulin and PON-1 levels in the plasma of diabetic rats treated with the combined extracts were significantly increased when compared to the control rats. Moreover, the GCMS of the extract shows the presence of both monounsaturated (oleic acid) and polyunsaturated (linoleic acid) fatty acids. CONCLUSION: The current findings suggest that the extract may help improve glucose homeostasis and prevent atherosclerosis through the established mechanism of the identified bioactive compounds.