Effect of Atiko (Aframomum sceptrum) and African nutmeg (Monodora myristica) on reduced glutathione, uric acid levels and liver marker enzymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

This study investigated the effect of the methanolic extract of Aframomum sceptrum and Monodora myristica on the reduced glutathione (GSH) and uric acid levels in the plasma and liver of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced-diabetic rats. The possible hepatic damage resulting from the administration of the spices was also examined.(Thirty-two Wistar albino rats (males and females), weighing between 160g -200g were divided into eight groups ( n=4). Four groups were made diabetic by the administration of STZ (50mg/kg body wt.) intraperiotoneally.Results obtained indicate decreased levels of blood reduced glutathione and uric acid (indices of antioxidant status) in the plasma and liver of diabetic rats, but there were significant increases in the activities of alanine and aspartate transaminases (ALT and AST) (indices of liver dysfunction). However, oral administration of the methanolic extract of M. myristica as well as A. sceptrum significantly increased blood GSH content of diabetic rats. Uric acid levels were elevated in plasma and liver of diabetic rats treated with both spices as compared with the control rats. Similarly, ALT and AST activities decreased significantly in the plasma and liver of diabetic rats administered with the methanolic extracts. These results suggest that the methanolic extracts of A. sceptrum and M. myristica may contribute to the protection against oxidative damage in STZ induced-diabetic rats without any adverse effect on the liver. The potency of the spices as effective antioxidants is comparable to that of vitamin E, a well known and acceptable antioxidant. Further studies on the phytochemical and toxicological properties are required to fully document the benefits of these extracts as antioxidants