| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by persistent
hyperglycemia resulting from defective insulin secretion by the pancreas, insulin action, or
sometimes both. Its management is very expensive. Herbal products have gained worldwide
popularity due to milder side effects, low cost and easy accessibility. One such product is Acacia
which has also been shown to have some cholesterol-lowering and antidiabetic effects. However
there is insufficient evidence in support of these observations.
Objective: To demonstrate the effects of Acacia nilotica subalata on plasma glucose, lipids,
protein and hemoglobin levels of normal and type 2 diabetic male rats.
Study design: An experimental study
Setting: Department of Medical Physiology, University of Nairobi
Methodology: Diabetes was induced in 18 out of 30 rats by administering alloxan (150 mg/kg ~
body weight). Induction was confirmed if fasting blood glucose level was> 7 mmolll after one
week. The rats were in five groups: Group A normal control, group B diabetic control, group C
diabetic rats reveived Acacia nilotica subalata (800mglkg body weight), group D normal rats
received Acacia nilotica subalata (800mglkg body weight) and group E diabetic rats received
metformin (100 rng/kg body weight). The rats received treatment for 42 consecutive days. Once
a week blood glucose was measured by glucometer. Levels of total protein, lipids and
hemoglobin were essayed by colorimetric methods at the ehd of experiment. Body weight was
measured at the beginning, thereafter every two weeks. Data were presented as mean ± standard
xi
error of mean and analysis of variance performed. Results were considered statistically
significant if p value < 5%.
Results: Acacia nilotica subalata leaf extract or metformin significantly decreased the blood
glucose of diabetic groups C and E compared to diabetic control group B (7.08 ± 1.451 and 6.50
± 1.10 vs 18.10 ± 1.378 mmolll, p < 0.05). Administration of either A. nilotica subalata extract
or metformin showed no difference in total protein levels between control diabetic group B and
diabetic groups treated with those products respectively (p >0.05 ). A. n. subalata extract and
metformin decreased total cholesterol in group C and E compared to diabetic control group B
(109.05 ± 9.134 and 90.69 ± 6.838 vs 153.89 ± 18. 829 mg/dl, p < 0.05). A statistically
significant elevation of high density lipoproteins (HDL) was shown in group E treated with
metformin compared to diabetic control B (p < 0.05). A. n. subalata extract and metformin in
~
groups C and E respectively, significantly ;ch!c;eased low density lipoproteins (LDL) levels
I·~ ,
compared to diabetic control group B (59.62 ± 6.532 and 42.32 ± 4.844 vs 105.56 ± 15.14 mg/dl,
p < 0.05) . The total hemoglobin level reduction was significant in diabetic group C compared to
normal control group A (104.40 ± 5.50 vs 135.67 ± 5.76g/1, p<0.05). Treatment with A. n.
~
subalata decreased weight in group D (normal treated with Acacia) compared to normal control
A (no treatment) (324.06 ± 9.58 vs 372.50 ± 13.32 g, P < 0.05).
Conclusion: A. n. subalata leaf extract produced antihyperglycemic effect in diabetic rats. At the
dose of 800mg/kg body weight it reduced significantly total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, body
weight and total hemoglobin. But increase of HDL cholesterol was not statistically significant.
However, there were no significant changes of triglycerides and total plasma protein.
Consequently A. n. subalata leaf extract may be considered as beneficial against hyperlipidemia
induced by diabetes mellitus. | en |
