Polyphenolic extract of Paullinia pinnata leaf exhibits antidiabetic, anthyperlipidaemic and antioxidant activities in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Background: This study evaluated the antidiabetic, antihyperlipidaemic and antioxidant effects of polyphenolic extract of Paullinia pinnata leaf (PEPPL) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Method: Diabetes was induced in Albino rats by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg body weight (b. w.)). Male and female rats of average weight 150 ± 1.14 g were selected for the study. PEPPL at a dose of 25 and 50 mg/kg b. w. was administered single dose per day to alloxan-induced diabetic rats for a period of 14 days. The effects of PEPPL on blood glucose, hepatic hexokinase, pancreatic alpha amylase, hepatic glycogen, lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status were assessed in the diabetic rats.

Results: PEPPL elicited significant (p<0.05) reductions of blood glucose, lipid parameters except HDL-Cholesterol in which case was significantly increased alongside the antioxidant enzymes. The untreated diabetic rats showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in the activities of hepatic hexokinase, pancreatic alpha amylase and hepatic glycogen content. Hepatic glycogen content as well as hexokinase and pancreatic alpha amylase activities were significantly (p<0.05) restored.

Conclusions: The results revealed that polyphenolic extract of P. pinnata leaf offers promising antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic effects that may be attributed largely to its potent antioxidant ability.