Lipid Profile, Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Activity of Acacia ataxacantha Bark Extract in Streptozotocin- Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous primary disorder of carbohydrate metabolism which exists everywhere in the world and interests approximately 371 million people worldwide. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing with ageing of the population and lifestyle changes associated with rapid urbanization and westernization. The disease is found in all parts of the world and is rapidly increasing in its coverage [1, 2]. WHO projects that diabetes will be the 7th leading cause of death in 2030 [2, 3]. It is a metabolic disorder initially charac‐ terized by a loss of glucose homeostasis with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both [4]. Without enough insulin, the cells of the body cannot absorb sufficient glucose from the blood; hence blood glucose levels increase, which is termed as hyperglycemia. If the glucose level in the blood remains high over a long period of time, this can result in long-term damage to organs, such as the kidneys, liver, eyes, nerves, heart and blood vessels. Complications in some of these organs can lead to death [5] The roles of certain organs such as the pancreas, liver and kidney in diabetes mellitus are very important.The pancreas plays a primary role in the metabolism of glucose by secreting the hormones insulin and glucagon (Figure 1). The islets of Langerhans secrete insulin and glucagon directly into the blood. Insulin is a protein that is essential for proper regulation of glucose and for maintenance of proper blood glucose levels [6]. Glucagon is a hormone that opposes the action of insulin. It is secreted when blood glucose level falls. It increases blood glucose concentration partly by breaking down stored glycogen in the liver by a pathway known as glycogenolysis. Gluconeogenesis is the production of glucose in the liver from non- carbohydrate precursors such as glycogenic amino acids [7].