Numerous body organs (eyes, liver, kidney and testes) eventually suffer damage as a result of elevated blood glucose levels, which are a defining feature of the metabolic disorder known as diabetes mellitus. Researchers are in search for safe drugs that can bring a total recovery from diabetes. Thirty (35) male wistar rats were divided into six (7) groups of five animals each to study the antidiabetic and antioxidative properties of young Cola acuminata leaves aqueous extract. Diabetes was induced using alloxan monohydrate.5 ml of normal saline was given to group I , group 2 received 5 mg/kg/ body weight of the standard drug glibenclamide, group 3 was given 140 mg/kg of alloxan while groups Young C. acuminata leaves aqueous extract was administered orally in graded doses to the diabetic animals (50mg/kg, 100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg bodyweight) and glibenclamide. Results showed a significant reduction of blood glucose level in the extract-treated rats (p <0.5) especially at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight. Samples were obtained for some biochemical (parameters) related to oxidant and antioxidants such as antioxidant enzymes, Reduced glutathione (GSH) activity, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and Malondialdehyde (MDA) activity. When compared control and glibenclamide-treated rats, the antioxidant activity of the extract increases with advancing the dose of treatment. According to the findings, Cola acuminata young leaves have comparable anti-diabetic efficacy to that of a glibenclamide administration. This suggests a promising prospect in developing novel drugs for treating diabetes mellitus.
Keywords | Anti-diabetic, Cola acuminata, Antioxidant, Alloxan, Glibenclamide, Wistar rats, Experimental work