Chrysophyllum albidum (African star apple) Fruit-Skin Attenuates Hyperglycemia-Mediated Oxidative Stress in Experimental Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disturbance characterized by hyperglycemia has become a health problem affecting millions of people worldwide. Hyperglycemia mediated oxidative stress performs a key role in diabetic complications. The fruit-skin of Chrysophyllum albidum (African star apple) has been reported to have anti-hyperglycemic, hypolipidemic and in vitro antioxidant properties, but its effect on oxidative damage in diabetic animals has not been well investigated. This study investigated the effect of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit-skin (CAFS) in mitigating hyperglycemia induced oxidative stress in diabetic rats. Oxidative stress markers included superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), lipidperoxidation status using malondialdehyde and non-enzymatic antioxidants in serum, hepatic and pancreatic tissues. Non-diabetic and streptozotocin-diabetic rats were compared after 4 weeks of treatment. The diabetic untreated group showed significant (p< 0.05) elevation of malondialdehyde and depression of non-enzymatic antioxidants levels, while suppressing SOD and CAT activities in serum, hepatic and pancreatic tissues when compared to normal rats. CAFS supplemented diet treatment ameliorated these metabolic disturbances and increased the activities of hepatic and pancreatic SOD from 0.28±0.25 to 0.61±0.13 Unit/mg protein and 0.08±0.01 to 0.15±0.01 Unit/mg protein respectively and CAT from 0.21±0.06 to 0.81±0.17 Unit/mg protein and 0.07±0.01 to 0.50±0.15 Unit/mg protein respectively. The findings suggest that CAFS treatment in diabetic rats exerts a protective effect via attenuation of oxidative stress mediated by hyperglycemia and improves the antioxidant status.