Effects of Baphia nitida Lodd Plant Extracts on Selected Biomarkers of Type-2 Diabetes in Sprague Dawley Rats

Abstract

Background: Baphia nitida Lodd leaves have been utilized as a traditional remedy for diabetes. This study aimed to explore the antidiabetic effects of Baphia nitida Lodd whole root plant extracts on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Methodology: Over twenty-two days, fifteen male SD rats were categorized into three groups: normal control, positive (diabetic) control, and intervention. All groups consumed a high-fat diet (HFD) for three weeks. Subsequently, the diabetic control and intervention groups were administered a low-dose (35 mg/Kg) injection of Streptozotocin (STZ). The intervention group received a daily oral dose of Baphia Nitida Lodd whole root extracts (225 mg/kg body weight), while the diabetic and normal control groups were given an equivalent amount of distilled water. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were recorded initially and biweekly until study completion. At the study's endpoint, lipid profiles, ABCC8 gene expression, and Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) levels were evaluated. Results: The intervention group exhibited a significant rise in FBG at all recorded times compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). The intervention group displayed a significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC) value compared to other groups (p < 0.05), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) compared to the negative control (p < 0.05). Their triglyceride (TG) level was significantly elevated compared to the negative control (p < 0.05), though the increase relative to the positive control group was not statistically significant. The intervention group also showed decreases in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) values and were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our study suggests that Baphia nitida Lodd root extract may exacerbate T2DM in rats by increasing FBG, TG levels and decreasing HDL in the intervention group.