Evaluation of the Modulatory Effect of Aqueous Extract of Dialium guineense Stem Bark on Oxidative Status of Diabetic Rats Liver

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases, such that drugs with strong antioxidant property are promoted for health management. The present study evaluated the modulatory effect of aqueous extract of Dialium guineense (AEDG) stem bark on oxidative status of diabetic rat liver. Adult male rats (Wistar strain, n = 20, mean weight = 165 ± 15 g) were randomly assigned to four groups (5 rats/group): control, diabetic, metformin, and extract groups. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in the rats via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ, 50 mg/kg body weight, bwt). The diabetic rats were thereafter treated for 21 days with either metformin (50 mg/kg bwt) or extract (1000 mg/kg bwt). Body weight and blood glucose data were recorded on weekly basis. Markers of oxidative stress were measured in rat hepatic tissue using standard methods. The results showed that induction of DM with STZ significantly increased plasma blood glucose concentration, while reducing antioxidant status of the rats. However, treatment of the diabetic rats with 1000 mg/kg bwt aqueous extract of D. guineense stem bark significantly reduced their fasting blood glucose, malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations, but it significantly increased activities of the antioxidant enzymes, and concentrations of total protein, reduced glutathione (GSH), and redox status (GSH/GSSG) (p < 0.05). These results suggest that AEDG stem bark possesses an ameliorative potential against STZ-induced oxidative stress in rat liver.