Abstract

Objective: To investigate the antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of the seed and leaf extracts of Chrysophyllum albidum (C. albidum). Methods: After assessing the in vitro ferric reducing power and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities as well as the flavonoid and flavanol contents, the seed and leaf extracts were administered to diabetic rats for 7 days. The animals were sacrificed and serum was obtained for the determination of blood glucose level while liver sample was used for the quantification of glycogen level as well as lipidic peroxidation and catalase activity. Results: Seed and leaf extracts of C. albidum showed ferric reducing activity and very high hydrogen peroxide scavenging potential. After the administration of treatment in diabetic rats, there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in blood sugar level and a significant increase (P < 0.05) in liver glycogen level in Groups 3 and 4 animals administered the leaf and seed extracts respectively compared to Group 1 (the negative control). Also, catalase activity and malondialdehyde levels increased in Groups 3 and 4 administered the extracts compared to Group 1 animals (the negative control). Flavonoids and flavanol were present and significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the leaf than seed extract. In all, the leaf extract showed the greatest activities. Conclusions: These results suggest that the leaf and seed extracts of C. albidum possess both in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activities in scavenging free radicals as well as antidiabetic activity, and as such, a potentially important compound in antidiabetic drug discovery.

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