Nutritional Potential and the Effect of Ethanol and Aqueous Extracts of Plukenetia conophora Leaf on the Body Weight and Blood Glucose Concentrations of Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Proximate composition and energy value, macro-mineral concentration, percentage daily value (%DV), nutrient rich index (NRI) and the effect of ethanol and aqueous extracts of Plukenetia conophora leaves on the body weight and blood glucose concentration of diabetic rats were determined using standard methods. The pharmacological model was 120mg/kg b.w. (via intraperitoneal) alloxan monohydrate induced diabetic rat model, with the ethanol and aqueous extracts respectively administered orally at 200mg/kg and 500mg/kg respectively and glibenclamide administered as reference control at 5mg/kg b.w. Chemical analysis showed that all the samples were rich in crude fiber (17.7%;%DV:63.21), ash (11.57%) , carbohydrate (57.14%; %DV:47.71), energy (254.05Kcal/100g; %D.V.:19.96). Spectrophotometric analysis data revealed Potassium concentration (68.07mg/kg; %DV:1.45) as highest while Sodium concentration (0.51mg/kg;%D.V.:0.02) was the lowest. The potassium to sodium ratio was high (136.1) while the sodium to potassium ratio was very low (0.008) and these ratios shows that the leaf may have positive effect on cardiovascular health. Nutrient Rich Index (NRI) based on macronutrients and macro minerals was estimated to be 16.47. Data on the effect of the ethanol extract and aqueous extract of the leaves of P. conophora on the body weight and blood glucose level of the rats revealed that the extracts significantly (p< 0.05), time and dose dependently restored the body weights towards normal compared to the diabetic control. The extracts also significantly (p< 0.05), time and dose dependently lowered blood glucose concentration towards normal compared to the treated rats. The nutritional and nutraceutical potential of the leaves of P. conophora as shown in this study suggest its possible use in food as cheap, effective and safe anti -diabetic agent for the management of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications.