Antioxidant Status and Lipid Profile of Diabetic Rats Treated With Antioxidant Rich Locally Prepared Nutriceutical

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is characterised by increased levels of oxidative stress markers and dyslipidemia, which
are implicated in the development of diabetic complications. Antioxidants may be important in delaying the
onset of the complications. The current work reports the effect of an antioxidant rich nutriceutical on serum
lipid profile and antioxidant status of alloxan induced diabetic rats. The nutriceutical was prepared from
onions, garlic, lemon, palm oil and Cray fish in ratio 6:6:2:1:5 respectively. The nutriceutical was
administered orally to diabetic rats(wister strains ) age ≥4 months for three weeks with and without
treatment with metformin. Twenty four (24) hours after the last administration, blood samples were
collected from the rats by cardiac puncture following anaesthesia in chloroform vapour. The effect of
supplementation on serum levels of glucose, lipid profile, malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, Cu,
Mn, Zn, vitamins A, C and E were assessed. The results indicated that supplementation with the
nutriceutical significantly (P<0.05) reduced serum levels of glucose, malondialdehyde, cholesterol,
triglyceride and atherogenic index. Supplementation also increased the serum levels of glutathione
peroxidase activity, Zn, Cu, Mn, vitamins and HDL-cholesterol significantly (P<0.05). The results suggest
that supplementation may reduce the risk of oxidative stress and dyslipidemia associated with diabetes
mellitus.