Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. fruit inhibits iron-induced lipid peroxidation and ?-amylase enzyme activity

Abstract

Insufficiencies in insulin secretion and/or action cause diabetes mellitus (DM), a complex condition characterized by abnormal blood glucose levels. Diabetes is often treated by modifying either glucose metabolism, lipids metabolism, or both. A direct correlation has been found between high levels of lipid peroxide in individuals with diabetes and lower intracellular antioxidant activity. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of Kigelia africana fruit on the carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzyme, ?-amylase, and FeSO4-induced lipid peroxidation in the rat pancreas. The in vitro antioxidant potential, including assays for (1,1 diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP), nitric oxide (NO), hydroxyl (OH) scavenging, and Fe2+ chelating abilities, of the fruit extract was also evaluated. The effect of the fruit extract on the ?-amylase enzyme, and FeSO4-induced lipid peroxidation in the rat pancreas was also evaluated. K. africana at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL and 1 mg/mL scavenged DPPH radicals, with the lower concentration showing significant differences compared to the control. The K. africana fruit extract reduced ferric compounds significantly compared to the standard. The OH* radical scavenging results revealed that all concentrations of K. africana fruit scavenged OH* radicals without significant differences compared to the control. K. africana fruit also chelated iron significantly compared to the control. The fruit extract inhibited iron-induced lipid peroxidation in the rat pancreas and ?-amylase activity compared to the control. K. africana fruit displayed promising potential in inhibiting ?-amylase activity and associated lipid peroxidation in diabetics. Therefore, it holds strong promise for use in diabetes treatment, validating its traditional use for managing the condition.