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ABSTRACT
Gongronema latifolium is a medicinal plant with known antioxidant and anti-diabetic property. The antioxidant potential of hydro-ethanol extract of Gongronema latifolium stem bark in streptozotocin induced diabetic Wister rats was investigated in this study. The extract was gotten using the maceration extraction method. The hydro-ethanol extract was tested for antidiabetic and antioxidant effect on rats. These rats (150-200g) were grouped into 5 compartments with 7 animals per group. The rats were kept in a wooden cage and allowed to acclimatize for 7 days. They were then induced with diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin for a period of 7 days. After 7 days, the blood glucose level of these rats increased due to the induction of the streptozotocin, which indicates hyperglycemia. Administration of hydro-ethanol extract of Gongronema latifolium stem bark (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg) significantly decreased the blood glucose level of the rats after 14 days. An antioxidant assay was then carried out. From the results, the anti-oxidant gene expressions are reduced after the induction of streptozotocin. Administration of the hydro-ethanol extract of Gongronema latifolium stem bark elevated the gene expression of these rats. This study therefore proves that the stem bark of Gongronema latifolium has a very good antioxidant property and can be used to reduce oxidative stress.
