Abstract

Measurement of glycosylated hemoglobin has been proposed to be a very sensitive index for glycemic control as various proteins, including hemoglobin, albumin, collagen, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL), or crystalline proteins has been reported to undergo non-enzymatic glycation in diabetes. In the present study an attempt was made to elucidate the effect of aqueous root extract ofTreculia africana on levels of haemoglobin glycosylation and plasma lipid peroxidation in streptozotocin (STZ),-induced diabetic rabbits. Twenty (20) STZ-induced diabetic male rats divided into two groups (n = 10) designated: Control and Test were treated respectively with 20 ml/kg distilled water and 200 mg/kg aqueous root extract of Treculia africana for five weeks. Plasma total haemoglobin, glycosylated haemoglobin and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS), concentration were determined at pre- and post-treatment. Administration ofTreculia africana root extract at 200 mg/kg to STZ-diabetic rabbits was observed to significantly decreased concentration of blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin and increased blood total haemoglobin. The elevated plasma levels of lipid peroxidation of diabetic rabbits were reverted back to near control levels following administration of T. africana extract. The results obtained in this study clearly indicate that aqueous root extract of T. africana diminishes the rate of haemoglobin glycosylation in diabetic animals and shows some levels of antioxidant principle.

Key words: Haemoglobin, glycosylation, diabetes, extract, glycemic control.