Corchorus olitorius leaves affect nutrient utilization and improve biochemical indices of alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats.

Abstract

BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES. The effective management of type 2 diabetes depends on the ability to maintain or improve insulin utilization, regulation of blood glucose, and the control of hyperlipidaemia. The effectiveness of Corchorus olitorius leaves in these three domains were evaluated in the present research. The objective of this research was to evaluate the ameliorative effects of Corchorus olitorius leaves on alloxan induced diabetes in Wistar rats METHODS. Nutrient composition of shade dried C. olitorius leaves was determined using standard AOAC methods.; alpha-amylase inhibition potentials of C. olitorius leaves were determined using four solvent systems. Bioactive compounds in C. olitorius were determined using GC-MS. Diets were formulated to contain 0–20% C. olitorius and fed to alloxan-induced diabetic rats alongside positive and negative standards for 70 days. Indices of nutritional quality and biochemical indices were compared in diabetic, diabetic/nutritionally managed and normoglycaemic Wistar rats. Histopathology of the pancreas of the three groups of animals were also compared. RESULTS. Water and 99% ethanol were the best solvents for extracting alpha amylase inhibitor from C. olitorius leaves. 9-octadecanoic acid (Z), benzoic acid,2 phenyl ester, 9-octadeceneZ-methylester and hexadecenoic acids were bioactive compounds identified in C. olitorius leaves. Formulated diets containing C. olitorius decreased feed intake, body mass gain, HBA1c, fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs) in a concentration dependent manner. HDL-C (good cholesterol) increased. C. olitorius caused the regeneration of the islets of Langerhans of the alloxan -induced diabetic rats. CONCLUSION. Corchorus olitorius leaves is effective for the control of hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia. Its water and ethanol extracts contain significant quantities of alpha amylase inhibitor that slows down carbohydrate breakdown into sugars thereby controlling the blood glucose level.