LAUSR

BACKGROUND Gongronema latifolium (G. latifolium) Benth. leaf is traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus (DM) and other diseases in Nigeria and West Africa. This study was performed to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of aqueous extract of G. latifolium leaf against DM by enhancing antioxidant defense against oxidative stress, exhibits neuroprotective effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Antidiabetic activity of G. latifolium extracts (6.36, 12.72 and 25.44 mg/kg, i.p.) was determined in alloxan-induced diabetic rat. Fasting blood glucose level and oxidative stress markers catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured. Cognitive biomarkers acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), dopamine (DOPA), serotonin, epinephrine and norepinephrine and cyclooxygenase (COX-2) were performed in brain of controls and G. latifolium treated diabetic rats. RESULTS Administration of G. latifolium leaf extract to diabetic rats significantly restored the alterations in the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG). MDA and NO levels were significantly reduced with an improvement in CAT, SOD and GPx activities in kidney, brain of diabetic rats treated with G. latifolium. Furthermore, G. latifolium significantly decreased the levels of AChE, BChE, DOPA, serotonin, epinephrine and nor-epinephrine levels in diabetic rats. G. latifolium effectively ameliorated the enzymatic COX-2 in diabetic rats. CONCLUSION The result of this study showed that leaf extract of G. latifolium improved antioxidant defense against oxidative stress, displays neuroprotective effect resulting in the modulation of brain neurotransmitters which could be considered as a promising treatment therapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.