Effect of Atiko (Aframomum sceptrum) and African nutmeg (Monodora myristica) on reduced glutathione, uric acid levels and liver marker enzymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of the methanolic extract of
Aframomum sceptrum and Monodora myristica on the reduced
glutathione (GSH) and uric acid levels in the plasma and liver of
streptozotocin (STZ)-induced-diabetic rats. The possible hepatic
damage resulting from the administration of the spices was also
examined.(Thirty-two Wistar albino rats (males and females),
weighing between 160g -200g were divided into eight groups ( n=4).
Four groups were made diabetic by the administration of STZ
(50mg/kg body wt.) intraperiotoneally.Results obtained indicate
decreased levels of blood reduced glutathione and uric acid (indices of
antioxidant status) in the plasma and liver of diabetic rats, but there
were significant increases in the activities of alanine and aspartate
transaminases (ALT and AST) (indices of liver dysfunction).
However, oral administration of the methanolic extract of M.
myristica as well as A. sceptrum significantly increased blood GSH
content of diabetic rats. Uric acid levels were elevated in plasma and
liver of diabetic rats treated with both spices as compared with the
control rats. Similarly, ALT and AST activities decreased significantly
in the plasma and liver of diabetic rats administered with the
methanolic extracts. These results suggest that the methanolic extracts of A. sceptrum and M. myristica may contribute to the protection against oxidative damage in STZ induced-diabetic rats without any adverse effect on the liver. The potency of the spices as effective antioxidants is comparable to that of vitamin E, a well known and acceptable antioxidant. Further studies on the phytochemical and
toxicological properties are required to fully document the benefits of
these extracts as antioxidants.

Key words: Atiko(Aframomum sceptrum, African nutmeg(Mondora
myristica), Reduced glutathione, uric acid and antioxidant.