Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is a saturated fat with promising antidiabetic properties but its ameliorative effect on lipid profiles in diabetics is rarely reported. Therefore, in this study, a total of fifteen (15) male rats weighing 200–250 g were divided into 3 experimental groups (). Group I (control) and Group II (diabetic control group) were fed a normal rat chow while Group III (diabetic test group) was fed a 10% VCO diet for 3 weeks. Group II and Group III were made diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg of alloxan. After 72 hours of injection, blood glucose was tested to confirm diabetes mellitus. After 3 weeks, the animals were sacrificed to collect blood samples for lipid profile analysis. The results showed a significant increase in concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein and decrease in concentration of high density lipoprotein in Group II when compared to Group I. Also, the concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, and very low density lipoprotein except high density lipoprotein significantly reduced in Group III when compared to Group II (, 0.001). VCO consumption can be claimed to ameliorate lipid levels in diabetes mellitus.

Context: Pentacyclic triterpenes (such as maslinic acid) are natural anti-diabetic agents that ameliorate glucose metabolism in diet-induced prediabetes. However, the effects of bredemolic acid (BA), maslinic acid isomer, is yet unknown in prediabetic (PD) conditions. Objectives: To investigate the effects of BA on some glucose homeostasis parameters in high-fat high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet-induced PD rats. Methods: Thirty-six (36) male rats (150–180 g) were divided into two groups, the normal diet (ND) non-prediabetic, NPD (n = 6) and the HFHC diet PD groups (n = 30). The PD animals were further sub-divided into five groups (n = 6) where they were treated with BA for 12 weeks while monitoring changes in blood glucose, caloric intake, and body weight. Results: Diet-induced prediabetes resulted in increased body weight, caloric intake, glycated haemoglobin, and glucose tolerance. BA treatment ameliorated glucose tolerance, lowered plasma insulin and increased expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT 4) in rats. Conclusions: BA administration restored glucose homeostasis in diet-induced prediabetes regardless of diet intervention.

Renal dysfunction is now a prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus. Therefore, this study was carried out to evaluate the remedial effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) on renal dysfunction in diabetic rats. Fifteen albino Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups that comprise normal control group (Group I) and diabetic control group (Group II) fed with normal rat chows and a diabetic test group (Group III) fed with 10% VCO diet. Group II and Group III were made diabetic by single intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg of freshly prepared alloxan monohydrate. After 72 hours of alloxan injection, fasting blood glucose was tested to confirm diabetes mellitus. After 3 weeks, the animals were anaesthetized and sacrificed to collect blood samples for renal function analysis. The creatinine, urea, and blood urea nitrogen values of Group II were significantly different from those of Group I and Group III at . Also, there was significant difference () in total protein value between Group II (4.42 ± 0.47 mg/dL) and Group I (5.78 ± 0.12 mg/dL) as well as Group III (5.86 ± 0.19 mg/dL), but there was no significant difference between that of Group I and Group III (5.78 ± 0.12 mg/dL and 5.86 ± 0.19 mg/dL, resp.). Thus, VCO is effective in preventing renal damage in diabetic patients.

Stress is becoming an unavoidable threat in recent times, there has been increasing interest by researchers in the use of naturally occurring biologically active compounds with medicinal value to cure body ailments. The present work was carried out to investigate the effect of methanol extract of Basella alba leaves on stress in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus). A total of 35 male rats were used in this study. They were grouped into seven groups of five rats each. Group 1 (normal control) was received 10 mL/kg normal saline. Group 2 contained restraint stress rats only. Group 3 contained forced swim stress rats only. Group 4 and 5 were treated with 60 mg/kg of B. alba extract (BAE) thereafter subjected to restraint and forced swim stresses respectively. Group 6 and 7 were treated with 120 mg/kg of BAE thereafter subjected to restraint and forced swim stresses respectively. Stress procedures were carried out at the end of first and third weeks. In the stressed rats, there were significant increases (P < 0.05) in fasting blood glucose and white blood cell count while there were significant decreases in superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione concentration when compared to group 1. There were significant decreases (P < 0.05) in blood glucose and white blood cell count and significant increases in superoxide dismutase and glutathione concentrations in BAE treated rats when compared to group 2 and 3. Some of the significant differences were either dose or duration dependent. In conclusion, results from this research suggest that BAE alleviates hyperglycaemia, chronic activation of immune system and generation of free radicals due to stress in Wistar rats.

Background. Prediabetes is an intermediary hyperglycaemic state that precedes type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in which abnormal metabolism of glucose and lipids occurs in organs such as the liver. Evidence has shown that, about 70% of T2DM patients develop hepatic dysfunction which is found to begin during the prediabetic stage. Bredemolic acid, a pentacyclic triterpene, has been found to improve insulin sensitivity in diet-induced prediabetic rats. The effects of this compound on liver function, however, are unknown. This study was therefore designed to investigate the effects of BA on liver function in high fat-high carbohydrate (HFHC) diet-induced prediabetic rats. Methods. Thirty-six (36) male rats that weigh 150 g–180 g were divided into two groups, the non-prediabetic (n = 6) and the prediabetic groups (n = 30) that were fed normal diet (ND) and HFHC diet, respectively. The prediabetic rats were further subdivided into five groups (n = 6) and treated with either BA (80 mg/kg) or metformin (MET, 500 mg/kg) every third day for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, blood samples and the liver were collected for biochemical analysis. Results. The induction of prediabetes resulted in increased release of liver enzymes (AST and ALT), increased liver glycogen and triglyceride, lipid peroxidation, and decreased sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP1c) and antioxidant enzymes. However, the administration of BA decreased liver enzyme concentrations, decreased hepatic oxidative stress, and improved antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and GPx. Conclusion. BA administration improved liver function in diet-induced prediabetic rats in the presence or absence of dietary intervention.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) leads to disruption of kidney function parameters (KFPs) which are markers of kidney diseases, especially nephropathy. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) has been implicated in playing a significant role in DM management. However, its role on KFPs in DM is scarce. Aim: To evaluate the kidney function parameters following VCO diet in diabetic rats. Materials and methods: : Twenty-five (25) male rats of 150 – 200 g were divided into 5 groups (n=5): Non-diabetic control (Group 1), diabetes control (Group 2), diabetes + metformin (Group 3), diabetes + 10% VCO (Group 4) and diabetes + 20% VCO (Group 5). Apart from Group 1, other groups were given intraperitone-ally 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin to induce diabetes mellitus. After 72 hours, fasting hyperglycaemia was confirmed by glucose oxidase method. All the rats were fed normal rat chow for 8 weeks. At 8th week, serum and urine samples were analysed for biochemical analysis. After 8 weeks, Group 1 and Group 2 continued to be fed on normal rat chow while other groups were treated with diets (VCO) or drug (metformin) for 4 weeks. At 12th week, urine samples were collected for biochemical analysis, the rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture. Results: There were significant differences in some KFPs in diabetes control (Group 2) compared to other experimental groups. However, there was no significant difference in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and serum sodium in all the groups. Conclusion: VCO supplementary diet improved the altered KFPs and could be a therapy for kidney problems.