The Hypoglycaemic, Antihyperlipidemic and Antioxidative Effects of Anacardium occidentale Methanolic Nut Extract in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

This research work investigated the anti-diabetic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-oxidative effects of Anacardium occidentale methanolic nut extract in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Forty (40) Wistar rats weighing 250±30g were randomly divided into five groups of 8rats each. Group1served as the control; Group2-5were induced with diabetes with a single dose of 50mg/kgbw of streptozotocin intraperitoneally. After diabetes induction, Group2 served as the streptozotocin only group, Group3and4 were administered 100mg/kgbw and 200mg/kgbwp.o of Anacardium occidentale nut extract, respectively, while Group5 was administered 2mg/kgbw of glimepiride as a reference drug for a period of 4weeks. Food and water intake were monitored daily, bodyweight, and blood glucose levels weekly throughout the experiment. On day29, the animals were sacrificed, and blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture for biochemical studies. Administration of Anacardium occidentale nut extract significantly decreased (p<0.05) the fasting blood glucose level, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) concentrations and significantly increase (p<0.05) the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in diabetic treated rats. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Reduced glutathione (GSH), and Catalase (CAT) levels significantly (p<0.05) increases with a decrease Malondialdehyde (MDA) level in diabetic treated rats. Food intake and bodyweight of diabetic treated rats significantly increases (p<0.05). Markers of liver and kidney functions were also improved in diabetic treated rats. The results from this study suggest that Anacardium occidentale nut may be useful in the therapeutic management of diabetes and its related complications.