Abstract:
This study aimed at investigating the pathophysiological effects of crude seed powders of Irvingia gabonensis and Irvingia wombolu combined in different proportions on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Both species of Irvingia were analysed for phytochemical content. A total of 72 male albino rats were used for the experiment. A latin square design of six treatment groups replicated thrice, with each replicate having 4 albino rats each was used for the experiment. Diabetes was induced in 5 groups of the experimental animals by the intraperitoneal administration of alloxan in a dose of 120mg/kg body weight, while one group served as the positive control. Crude seeds of Irvingia gabonensis and Irvingia wombolu combined in 3 different proportions (80% I.gabonensis: 20% I.wombolu (IgIw1), 20% I. gabonensis: 80% I. wombolu(IgIw2) and 50% I. gabonensis : 50% I.wombolu (IgIw3)) were administered to 3 groups of the diabetic animals while the remaining 2 diabetic groups served as the diabetic and standard drug control. Body weight, blood glucose levels and serum levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were monitored at 7 days interval for 21 days. Pancreas, kidney and liver were harvested from a rat in each group at the end of the experiment for histological studies. Phytochemical analysis of both species of Irvingia reveals that I. wombolu has more flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides, terpenoids and steroids than I. gabonensis. There was no significant difference (P < 0.05) in the body weight of the diabetic animals compared to the positive control. Administration of combinations crude seed powders of Irvingia gabonensis and Irvingia wombolu and the standard drug glibenclamide significantly (P < 0.05) lowered blood glucose levels of the diabetic rats. Serum TC, TG and LDL-C decreased significantly (P < 0.05) while HDL-C increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the treated animals compared to the diabetic control. There was also a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in serum levels of ALT, AST and ALP of the treated rats compared to the diabetic control. However, there was no significant difference (P < 0.05) between the serum levels of MDA of the treated animals and the diabetic control. The histopathological damage on the pancreas, kidney and liver of the diabetic rats was not entirely revised within the period of experiment. This study therefore suggests that Irvingia gabonensis and Irvingia wombolu combined has blood glucose lowering effect and may also protect against dislipidemia. Hence, Irvingia gabonensis and Irvingia wombolu may be used as ingredients in health and functional food to ameliorate diabetes.
