Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the aqueous extract of Baillonella toxisperma stem bark on dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance in rats. A quantitative phytochemical study was done on the aqueous extract of Baillonella toxisperma for the total phenol, flavonoid, and flavonol determination. Insulin resistance was induced by intraperitoneal injection of dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) for 8 days, one hour before oral administration of different treatments (extract at doses of 60, 120, and 240 mg/kg and metformin at 40 mg/kg). During the test, body weight and blood glucose level were evaluated on days 1 and 8. At the last day of treatment, the glucose tolerance test was performed in rats; after that, blood samples were collected for triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterols, transaminases (ALT and AST), and total protein level determination. Organs (heart, liver, pancreas, and kidneys) were also collected for the relative organ weight determination. The results showed that the aqueous extract of B. toxisperma is rich in total phenols, flavonoids, and flavonols. This extract significantly reversed the metabolic alterations (lipid profile, protein level, and transaminase activity) induced by dexamethasone in rats. At doses of 120 and 60 mg/kg, Baillonella toxisperma also significantly decreases (p < 0.05; p < 0.01) postprandial hyperglycemia in insulin resistance rats. The results suggest that Baillonella toxisperma can manage insulin resistance and may be useful for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) refers to a group of chronic metabolic diseases which are generally characterized by hyperglycemia, which eventually leads to damage of multiple body systems [1]
T1DM is due to an impaired insulin production, while T2DM is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, which lead to insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion
T2DM is the most common form of DM. It is characterized by hyperglycemia and alterations of carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism, caused by a defect in insulin production or its action. e number of people with T2DM is increasing in every country, and it is estimated that 439 million people would have T2DM by the year 2030 [3]
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) refers to a group of chronic metabolic diseases which are generally characterized by hyperglycemia, which eventually leads to damage of multiple body systems [1]. It belongs to the group of five leading important diseases causing death globally and remains a major health problem in Africa [2]. T2DM is the most common form of DM It is characterized by hyperglycemia and alterations of carbohydrate, protein, and lipid metabolism, caused by a defect in insulin production or its action. These drugs are often inaccessible to many local populations because of the difficulties in their distribution. ese populations generally use plants for primary health care. us, traditional phytotherapeutic approaches seem to enhance an interesting potential whose development process, through appropriate scientific procedures, could offer a credible alternative to communities
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