Protective role of diets containing Gongronema latifolium leaves on Streptozotocin- induced oxidative stress and liver damage

This study was aimed at determining some biomarkers of oxidative stress and liver damage in diabetic rats consuming diets containing Gongronema latifolium leaves so as to evaluate the involvement of the diets in the management of oxidative stress and liver damage common among diabetics. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups (1 to 5) with10 rats per group. Group 1 (normal control) consumed control diet; Group 2 (diabetic control) consumed control diet, Group 3 and 4 (diabetic treated) consumed Gongronema latifolium at 5% and 7.5%, respectively. Group 5 (diabetic treated) consumed control diet and was treated with Insulin. Feed and water were given ad- libitum for 28 days. Results showed that diabetic rats in groups 3 and 4 consuming Gongronema latifolium had significant (P<0.05) reduction in MDA concentration and in the level of ALT, AST, and ALP in the serum and liver tissue homogenate and a significant increase it the activities of GPx, SOD and Catalase relative to the diabetic control. The results were superior to those on Insulin. It was concluded that consumption of diets containing Gongronema latifolium leaves has protective effect on oxidative stress and liver damage associated with diabetes mellitus.