Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the effect of Amaranthus tricolor leaf extract on some biochemical parameters in diabetic and normal ratsMethods: A. tricolor aqueous extract was assayed for antioxidant properties using ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) assay, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and phosphomolybdenum assay. The effect of the leaf extract on serum glucose and triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), elevated high density lipoprotein (HDL), body weight and hematological parameters were assessed in diabetic and normal rats. The extract doses used were 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. Acute toxicity studies were also carried out Results: In the extract doses, 200 and 400 mg/kg, reduced blood glucose levels in a dose-dependant manner, from 168.0 ± 18.5 mg/dl at 0 h to 43.0 ± 9.3 mg/dl at the 12th hour and from 146.50 ± 22.1 mg/dl at 0 h to 37.250 ± 6.3 mg/dl at the 12th hour, respectively. Oral administration of 400 mg/kg of the extract for 21 days significantly reduced (p < 0.001) serum glucose, serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein, but elevated (p < 0.05) high density lipoprotein in diabetic experimental rats, compared to diabetic control. The extract prevented a decrease in body weight in treated diabetic rats and promoted an improvement in haemoglobin levels. Total antioxidant activity assay revealed that 1 g of dry leaf powder was equivalent to 0.035g/ml of ascorbic acid. The extract showed no toxicity up to 2 g/kg body weight.Conclusions: This study shows that the aqueous extract of Amaranthus tricolor possesses some beneficial antidiabetic properties that warrant further research.Keywords: Amaranthus tricolor, Anti-hyperglycemia, Anti-hyperlipidemia; Amaranthus, Antioxidant activity, Phosphomolybdenum
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome initially characterized by loss of glucose homeostasis [1]
Anemia is commonly found in hyperglycemic patients and is associated with an increased risk of diabetic complications leading to nephropathy, retinopathy and macro vascular diseases [3]
Treatment of diabetes starts with the introduction of oral hypoglycemic agents, dietary restrictions coupled with exercise regimen and eventually administration of insulin in more severe cases
Summary
Diabetes mellitus is a syndrome initially characterized by loss of glucose homeostasis [1]. Treatment of diabetes starts with the introduction of oral hypoglycemic agents, dietary restrictions coupled with exercise regimen and eventually administration of insulin in more severe cases. Insulin therapy results in sudden bouts of hypoglycemia that needs constant monitoring. This has led to increased demand for antihyperglycemic agents with fewer or no side effects. The World Health Organization, has recommended that indigenous plants be used as alternative medicine in the management of diabetes mellitus, in developing countries where safe modern drugs, health centers and resources are limited or lacking [4]
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