Protective Effects of Luffa aegyptica Aqueous Extract Against Biochemical Alterations in Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes, a disease linked to intermediary metabolism is caused by reduced production of insulin or increasing resistance. The objective of this study was to assess the protective effect of Luffa aegyptiaca aqueous leaf extract (LAAE) against alterations in haematological indices, lipid profile, atherogenic index and hypoamylasemia in diabetic male rats. Thirty male Wistar rats were grouped into six of five animals each as follow: Normal control (NC), Diabetic Control (DC), E1 (diabetic rats + 100 mg/kg of LAAE), E2 (diabetic rats + 200 mg/kg of LAAE), E3 (diabetic rats + 300 mg/kg of LAAE) and STD (diabetic rats + metformin drug (100mg/kg)). The induction of diabetes using alloxan monohydrate solution (150 mg/kg), caused hyperlipidaemia, increased atherogenic and cardiovascular risk indices and hypoamylasemia in the rats. The extract administration increased the amount of high density-lipoprotein (HDL), triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol. The extract reduced low density-lipoprotein (LDL), atherogenic index (AI) and coronary risk index (CRI). The levels of haematological indices [packed cell volume (PCV), red blood cell (RBC) and haemoglobin concentration (Hb)] increased upon the administration of the extract. Total white blood cells (TWBC), mean value of corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean value of corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and mean value of corpuscular volume (MCV) reduced slightly in the treated animals when compared with the diabetic control (P<0.05). Liver integrity was restored by increase in the levels of serum total protein (STP), albumin and amylase activity. It was concluded that aqueous extracts of L. aegyptiaca possess therapeutic and protective effect on the liver, adipocyte and haematological indices of diabetic rats.
Keywords: Luffa aegyptica, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, atherogenic index, hypoamylasemia