Abstract
This study investigated the effect of the methanolic extract ofAframomum sceptrum and Monodora myristica on the reducedglutathione (GSH) and uric acid levels in the plasma and liver ofstreptozotocin (STZ)-induced-diabetic rats. The possible hepaticdamage resulting from the administration of the spices was alsoexamined.(Thirty-two Wistar albino rats (males and females),weighing between 160g -200g were divided into eight groups ( n=4).Four groups were made diabetic by the administration of STZ(50mg/kg body wt.) intraperiotoneally.Results obtained indicatedecreased levels of blood reduced glutathione and uric acid (indices ofantioxidant status) in the plasma and liver of diabetic rats, but therewere significant increases in the activities of alanine and aspartatetransaminases (ALT and AST) (indices of liver dysfunction).However, oral administration of the methanolic extract of M.myristica as well as A. sceptrum significantly increased blood GSHcontent of diabetic rats. Uric acid levels were elevated in plasma andliver of diabetic rats treated with both spices as compared with thecontrol rats. Similarly, ALT and AST activities decreased significantlyin the plasma and liver of diabetic rats administered with themethanolic extracts. These results suggest that the methanolic extracts of A. sceptrum and M. myristica may contribute to the protection against oxidative damage in STZ induced-diabetic rats without any adverse effect on the liver. The potency of the spices as effective antioxidants is comparable to that of vitamin E, a well known and acceptable antioxidant. Further studies on the phytochemical andtoxicological properties are required to fully document the benefits ofthese extracts as antioxidants.Key words: Atiko(Aframomum sceptrum, African nutmeg(Mondoramyristica), Reduced glutathione, uric acid and antioxidant.
Published Version
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