Orange peels and acha grain-based cornflakes modulates notable biochemical enzymes in diabetic-hypertensive rats

Abstract

Cornflakes are popular breakfast cereals however, hypertensive and diabetic patients or diabetic-hypertensive (DBP-HYP) patients on medication are not advised to consume cornflakes as its high calorie content further complicates their condition. The effects of formulated cornflakes produced from yellow corn, acha grains (AG) and orange peel (OP) flour on fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, glycemic index (GI), α-amylase and hemodynamic blood pressures (BP) in rats treated with acarbose (25 mg/kg) and captopril (25 mg/kg) standard drugs is unknown. Sixty-six adult male rats were randomly divided into eleven groups (n -6). Produced cornflakes from AG and OP was administered to experimental rats at various proportions. GI of cornflakes, BP and FBG levels of rats fed on these functional cornflakes were assessed. Additionally, the antioxidant status of DBP-HYP rats, amylase, arginase, and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) enzymes activities in the pancreas and heart were recorded. Interestingly, the GI of cornflakes, FBG, BP of DBP-HYP-treated rat groups decreased significantly (P<0.05) while the antioxidant ability and inhibitory effects on the amylase, arginase, and PDE-5 enzymes was elevated in DBP-HYP rats fed with formulated cornflakes. Therefore, OP and AG grain-based cornflakes produced in this study contributed to lowering FBG and BP of drug-managed DBP-HYP conditions in rats.