INFLUENCE OF BITTER GOURD (Momordica charantia) AND BITTER LEAF (Vernonia amygdalina) INCLUSIVE DIETS ON TYPE-2 DIABETIC RATS TREATED WITH ACARBOSE

Abstract

Type-2 Diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disorder characterized by persistent increase in hyperglycaemia, resulting from insulin resistance. It constituted serious public health concerns causing multiple organ failure. Acarbose (ACA) is an anti-diabetic drug currently used in the treatment of type-2 diabetes (T2D). However, it comes with its attendant side effects. Certain plant foods represent a vast source of potentially useful dietary supplements for blood glucose control. In this study, we investigate the influence of 5 and 10% of Momordica charantia leaf (MC) and Vernonia amygdalina leaf (VA) inclusive diet on blood glucose level, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism enzymes, and antioxidant molecules in T2D rats. T2DM was induced in rat by a combination of high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin (35 mg kg-1), before the treatment with ACA and MC or VA inclusive diet for 14 days. The results revealed that diabetic rats fed 5 - 10% MC and VA supplemented diet or/and treated with ACA had significantly (P < 0.05) reduced blood glucose level, pancreatic α-amylase and lipase, as well as intestinal α-glucosidase activities with concomitant elevation in levels of catalase, glutathione-s-transferase, glutathione peroxidase activities and reduced glutathione and thiol levels compared to diabetic control rat in comparison to the diabetic control rats. In addition, treatment with MC and VA inclusive diets with or without Acarbose in diabetic rat showed significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the activities of liver marker enzymes (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase) and kidney markers (urea and creatinine). However, treatment with 10% MC plus acarbose (10% MC+ACA) had the highest reduction in pancreatic α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities. Conclusively, combination of ACA with MC or VA inclusive diets could be effective, efficient and safe strategy towards holistic therapeutic management of T2D as well as its possible complication such as hepatic and renal damage.