Corchorus olitorius leaves affect nutrient utilization and improve biochemical indices of alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats.

What is it about?

There are three major areas of managing type-2 diabetes (a) improving insulin secretion and utilization (b) regulating blood glucose (c) controlling hyperlipidaemia. Cochorus olitorius leaves contains omega fatty acids which promote the secretion and utilization of insulin. This leaf contains significant amounts of alpha-amylase inhibitor which reduces the alpha amylase enzymes thereby reducing their ability to degrade starch into glucose at a fast rate. The net effect of this activity is that glucose is released into the blood stream at a slower rate, so the upsurge of glucose into the blood stream becomes slower. This plant product also promotes the increasing of the level of High density cholesterol (referred to as good cholesterol), while it lowers the level of low density cholesterol (which is regarded as harmful cholesterol). Corchorus olitorius leaves is therefore very useful in the management of type 2 diabetes because it contributes in controlling the three areas that type 2 diabetes manifests in this non-communicable disease.. . Nutrient composition of C. olitorius leaves was determined using standard AOAC methods; alpha-amylase inhibitor content of the leaves was determined after extraction with four solvent systems. Some bioactive compounds in C. olitorius were identified with GC-MS. Diets were formulated to contain 0-20% C. olitorius and fed to alloxan-induced diabetic rats for 70 days. Indices of nutritional quality, biochemical indices and histopathology of the pancreas were compared in the experimental animals. Water and 99% ethanol were the best solvents for extracting alpha amylase inhibitor from C. olitorius leaves. 9-octadecanoic acid (Z), benzoic acid,2 phenyl ester, 9-octadeceneZ-methylester and hexadecenoic acids were major bioactive compounds identified in C. olitorius leaves by GC-MS. Formulated diets containing C. olitorius decreased feed intake, body mass gain, glycosylated haemoglobin (HBA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs) in a concentration dependent manner. HDL-C (good cholesterol) increased. C. olitorius caused the regeneration of the pancreas of the alloxan -induced diabetic rats. Corchorus olitorius leaves is effective for the control of hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia

Featured Image

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented and can be managed. Using nutrients to mange the lipid profile, the blood sugar level and the production/sensitivity to insulin by cells are three areas where nutritional management of type 2 diabetes are relevant

Perspectives