Antidiabetic and Anti-Obesity Potential of Solanum scabrum Stem Extract: An Experimental Study on Wistar Rats
Dih Rousette Kengwa
Catholic University of Cameroon (CATUC), Bamenda, Cameroon.
Ndi Ella Ngoh
Univeristy of Bamenda, (College of Technology (COLTECH))), Cameroon.
Ngwasiri Pride Ndasi
Univeristy of Bamenda, (College of Technology (COLTECH))), Cameroon.
Shu Golda
University of Buea, Cameroon.
Kehbuma Victor
University of Buea, Cameroon.
Ndode Ebane
University of Buea, Cameroon.
Tsi Nsoh Faith. *
Presbyterian Diagnostic Urgent Care Hospital, Buea/University of Bamenda, Cameroon.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Solanum scabrum is an indigenous plant vegetable and a source of traditional medicine in Cameroon and other parts of the world. The leaves and young shoots of this plant are eaten as a vegetable and the matured stems are discarded while the berries are used as dyes or seeds. This study was aimed at characterizing the phytochemical and antioxidant constituents of the of Solanum scabrum stem and to evaluate the antidiabetic and anti-obesity effects of the biomass on diabetic and obese male Wistar rats.
Methodology: Nutritional analysis, phytochemical and antioxidant properties were determined using O AAC standards. Carrying out in vivo studies, male albino Wister rats were induced with diabetes using streptozotocin at dosage of 40mg/kg body weight and high fat diet used to induced obesity. Solanum scabrum stem extract at dose of 140mg/kg and 280mg/kg body weight were used to treat the animals for a period of 21 days. For the oral glucose tolerance, extracts at different dose also reduced blood glucose from 237mg/dL- 134mg/dL at dose of 40mg and from 124mg/dl to 51mg/dL at dose of 280mg.
Results: The stem was reported to contain some phytochemicals like saponins, terpenoids, steroids, tannins alkaloids. Also, the plant content nutrients like Proteins (7.62%-17.95%), Fiber of 5.29%-39.43%, Iron 26.16mg/kg-227.5mg/kg among other nutrients plant extracts had significance of P<0.0001 of 140mg lowered the blood glucose levels from 600mg/dL to 480mg/dL and extract of 280mg also lowered the blood glucose from 486mg/dL to 281mg/dl. In the obese rats, the stem extract showed no significance on BMI. Examining the lipid profile of the obese animals, the extracts also did not show any significance. Liver biomarkers AST and ALT were analyzed to ascertain the effect of extract in the liver and no significance (P>0.05) of the extract was noticed when compared to the control groups.
Conclusion: In conclusion, Solanum scabrum stem extract was found to contain phytochemicals, have antioxidant properties and good nutrient source. The stem was recognized to have antidiabetic properties but no antilipidemic properties.
Keywords: Solanum scabrum, antidiabetic properties, anti-obesity properties, phytochemicals, antioxidants, nutritional analysis, wistar rats