Purpose:
To investigate the effect
of Amaranthus tricolor leaf extract on some biochemical
parameters in diabetic and normal rats
Methods:
A. tricolor aqueous extract was assayed for antioxidant
properties using ferric reducing ability of plasma
(FRAP) assay, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH)
assay and phosphomolybdenum assay. The effect of the
leaf extract on serum glucose and triglyceride, total
cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low
density lipoprotein (VLDL), elevated high density
lipoprotein (HDL), body weight and hematological
parameters were assessed in diabetic and normal rats.
The extract doses used were 200 and 400 mg/kg body
weight. Acute toxicity studies were also carried out
Results:
In the extract doses, 200 and 400 mg/kg, reduced blood
glucose levels in a dose-dependant manner, from 168.0 ±
18.5 mg/dl at 0 h to 43.0 ± 9.3 mg/dl at the 12th hour
and from 146.50 ± 22.1 mg/dl at 0 h to 37.250 ± 6.3
mg/dl at the 12th hour, respectively. Oral
administration of 400 mg/kg of the extract for 21 days
significantly reduced (p < 0.001) serum glucose, serum
triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density
lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein, but
elevated (p < 0.05) high density lipoprotein in diabetic
experimental rats, compared to diabetic control. The
extract prevented a decrease in body weight in treated
diabetic rats and promoted an improvement in haemoglobin
levels. Total antioxidant activity assay revealed that 1
g of dry leaf powder was equivalent to 0.035g/ml of
ascorbic acid. The extract showed no toxicity up to 2
g/kg body weight.
Conclusions:
This study shows that the aqueous extract of Amaranthus
tricolor possesses some beneficial antidiabetic
properties that warrant further research.
Keywords:
Amaranthus tricolor, Anti-hyperglycemia, Anti-hyperlipidemia;
Amaranthus, Antioxidant activity, Phosphomolybdenum
