Comparative Effects of Xylopia aethiopica and Piper guineense Extracts on Blood Glucose and Lipid Profiles in Non-Pregnant and Lactating Rats

Abstract

Xylopia aethiopica and Piper guineense are widely consumed West African spices traditionally used during the postpartum period, but their effects on glucose and lipid homeostasis during lactation remain insufficiently characterised. This study evaluated the effects of individual and combined aqueous seed extracts of X. aethiopica and P. guineense on blood glucose and lipid profiles in lactating albino Wistar rats. Fifty albino Wistar rats, comprising 40 pregnant rats on day 14 of gestation and 10 non-pregnant rats, were divided into five groups (n=10). Seeds of X. aethiopica and P. guineense were dried, powdered and separately extracted by macerating 200 g of each powdered seed in 600 mL of distilled water for 48 h, after which the mixtures were filtered and the aqueous extracts concentrated. Group A comprised non-pregnant, non-lactating controls; Group B, untreated lactating controls; Groups C and D received X. aethiopica (0.144 g/180 g body weight) and P. guineense (0.192 g/180 g body weight) seed extracts, respectively; and Group E received the combined extracts. The extracts were administered orally in 1 mL of distilled water twice daily for 21 days. Random blood glucose (RBS), total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, LDL-C, VLDL-C and triglycerides (TG) were determined using standard biochemical methods. RBS and TC showed no significant differences among the groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control groups, HDL-C was significantly increased in the extract-treated groups, reaching 2.77 ± 0.04, 3.15 ± 0.06 and 2.98 ± 0.07 mmol/L in Groups C, D and E, respectively, while LDL-C was significantly reduced to 0.53 ± 0.12, 0.24 ± 0.05 and 0.30 ± 0.06 mmol/L, respectively. Group D recorded the lowest VLDL-C (0.37 ± 0.02 mmol/L) and TG (0.70 ± 0.09 mmol/L). Aqueous seed extracts of X. aethiopica and P. guineense, administered individually or in combination, did not significantly alter blood glucose or total cholesterol but produced favourable alterations in selected lipid parameters, particularly increased HDL-C and reduced LDL-C. These findings suggest potential lipid-modulating activity during lactation, although further studies are required to establish the underlying mechanisms and long-term safety.