Abstract

The study aims to investigate the effect of aqueous fruit pulp of Dialium guineense on hemeoxygenase, and insulin release, inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and possible hypoglycemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Twenty four male Wistar rats were grouped into control, diabetic (Dm), diabetic + 300 mg/kg body weight Dialium guineese (Dm+ DG) and diabetic + 100 mg/kg metformin (Dm +MET). Apart from the control, other rats were made diabetic by a single dose of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin injected intraperitoneally. Dialium and metformin were administered orally three days after induction of diabetes. Result showed significant (p<0.01) increase in serum ACE, blood glucose, and a decrease (p<0.01) in HO-1 and insulin in the Dm group. There was also an increase (p<0.01) in TC, TG and LDL-c. Tissue peroxidation (Heart and Kidney) was high in the diabetic untreated rats, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity was attenuated. Administration of aqueous fruit pulp and metformin significantly (p<0.001) increased HO-1 and insulin secretion, decreased ACE and blood sugar level (p<0.001) as well as the TC, TG and LDL-c. Antioxidant activities in the kidney and liver were potentiated. In conclusion, this study showed that Dialium guineese fruit pulp enhances HO-1 and insulin release and inhibits ACE activity. It is hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and evokes antioxidant activity.

Key words: Hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), insulin, diabetes, Dialium guineese, metformin.