Evaluation of Glycemic Index, Hypolipidemic and Hypoglycemic Activities of “osu une” on Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: The incidence of diabetes has been on the increase due to increase in sedentary lifestyle together with increase in life expectancy. “Osu une” is a native meal in Anambra State, Nigeria used in the management of diabetics. There is no scientific based study/data to ascertain the effect on blood glucose level.

Objective: The study investigated the glycemic index, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic activities of “osu une” on Alloxan induced rats.

Methods: The “osu une” was prepared, dried and blended. Twenty adult male Albino rats were grouped into four of five rats each based on their body weight. Alloxan at a dose of 42mg/kg was induced intravenously through tails of group 2-4 rats. Blood samples were collected from the ocular vein and analyzed for blood glucose and lipid profile on day 7, 14 and 28 using standard method. Ten healthy subjects aged between 24 -40 participated in this study. They were fed with the standard food (50 g glucose) on day one and the test foods on day two, after an overnight fast. Blood samples were taken at 0, 30, 60, 120, and 180 min after the food had been eaten.

Results: The result showed that rats that received ‘osu une’ extract showed an increase in body weight from 130.70mg/kg to 146.20mg/kg, while rats that received glucophage tablets also showed an increase in body weight from 126.01mg/kg to 158.81mg/kg after inducing diabetes. The rats fed ‘osu une’ extract had a decrease in fasting blood glucose level, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDLc) and increase in High Density Lipoprotein (HDLc). The test diet had a low glycemic index of 9.59.