Anti-lipid peroxidative activity of Gongronema latifolium in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

This study was designed to investigate the anti-lipid peroxidative effects of aqueous extracts from Gongronema latifolium (Utazi) leaves in non-diabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. We evaluated plasma lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde, MDA) and antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD) in all the animals. Result demonstrated that the untreated diabetic rats were subjected to oxidative stress as indicated by significantly [P < 0.05] low level of their antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase (49. 86 +/- 2.04 U/mg protein) and high plasma lipid peroxidation index (6.82 +/- 2.04 nMol/ml) when compared with non-diabetic rats values of 82.5 +/- 3.16 U/mg protein and 2.66 +/- 0.72 nMol/ml respectively. The aqueous extract of G. latifolium leaves reversed this situation as shown by significant [P < 0.05] increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (78.6 +/- 3.26 U/mg protein) and decreased levels of plasma malondialdehyde (4.02 +/- 0.64). In conclusion, the results suggest that aqueous extract of G. latifolium. Leaves possesses hypoglycemic as well as anti-lipid peroxidative properties.