MODULATORY ROLE OF CABBAGE (Brassica olaeracae) SUPPLEMENT ON BLOOD GLUCOSE AND SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN ALLOXAN – INDUCED DIABETIC WISTAR RATS

Thesis Overview

<p> <b>1.0 INTRODUCTION&nbsp;</b></p><p>Diabetes is a disease which affects the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fat due to absolute or relative deficiency of insulin secretion with or without varying degree of insulin resistance (Asadujjaman et al., 2011). The number of individuals with diabetes has been increasing due to population growth, aging, urbanization, and increasing prevalence of obesity and physical inactivity (Sarah et al., 2004). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated the diabetic population to increase up to 300 million or more by the year 2025 (Patel et al., 2012). The most important distinctive feature of diabetes is an elevated blood glucose concentration, but this abnormality is just one of a number of biochemical and physiological changes that occur (Olaitan, 2012). Hypercholesterolemia and hyper triglyceridemia are common complications of diabetes mellitus (Akhtar et al., 2007). The treatment of diabetes mainly involves the use of hypoglycaemic drugs in addition to insulin but the unwanted side effects of these drugs prompted a demand for new compounds for the treatment of diabetes (Asadujjaman et al., 2011). The drive for change from orthodox to herbal medicines is to an extent due to the adverse reactions, undesirable side effects of synthetic drugs, the cost of buying modern antidiabetic drugs, which is beyond the reach of the lower class citizens and the belief that natural products are safer to the biological systems (Mohammed et al., 2007). It has now become necessary to search for new compounds in order to overcome these problems, and several traditional medicines are now used to manage diabetes mellitus in different societies all over the continents (Raju et al., 2011). Cabbage (Brassica oleracea) is locally called Kabeji in Hausa language and Akojopo or Jaleji in Yoruba language. It is an important vegetable crop of the Brassicaceae family consumed all over the world. It is popular probably due to its low price and availability at local markets, richness in phytochemicals such as polyphenolics, glucosinolates, carotenoids, and vitamin C. It has demonstrated antioxidant, anticancer and potential anti-obesity properties (Dunja et al., 2013). It consists of a wide range of important vegetable and fodder crops which are excellent sources of fibers that help prevents constipation, reduces the risk of colorectal cancer and helps to reduce blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease and diabetes (Puddephat et al,1996; Enas and Atif 2010). Ethanolic extract of cabbage, has demonstrated significant hepatoprotective activity which justifies its use as a hepato protective agent as a result of the presence of biologically active phytoconstituents (Subramanian, 2011). <br></p><p> <b>1.1 Statement of Research Problem&nbsp;</b></p><p>Diabetes mellitus is a global health problem which affects an estimated population of 135 million in 1995 and the number being expected to rise to about 300 million in the year 2025 with more people in developing than developed countries (Baltazar et al., 2004). Insulin and oral hypoglycemic drugs such as sulfonylureas and biguanides have remained the corner stone for the management of diabetes mellitus. Unfortunately, apart from having a number of side effects, none of the oral synthetic hypoglycemic agents has been successful in maintaining euglycaemia. The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diabetes mellitus has gained recognition and recommendation by the World Health Organization (WHO), especially in developing countries where access to the conventional treatment are expensive and not readily accessible (Akhtar, 2007). <br></p><p> <b>1.2 Justification&nbsp;</b></p><p>More than four hundred different plant and plant extracts have been found to play an important role in the treatment of diabetes and most of these plants were believed to have hypoglycaemic properties (Bailey and Caroline, 1989). Cabbage is one of such medicinal plants, whose therapeutic application has a folkloric background. The plant enjoys widespread reputation as a remedy for peptic ulcer disease, hypocholeterolaemic, anti-cancer, antimicrobial and antiinflammatory properties (Sathya, 2012). Most of the research work done on cabbage has been on extract. Hence a scientific verification of its use as a supplement in food would be important in establishing a pharmacological basis for some of the claimed ethnomedicinal uses of the plant. This scientific verification forms the basis of the present investigation using animal models. <br></p><p> <b>1.3 Research Hypothesis&nbsp;</b></p><p>1. Cabbage supplement have no effect on blood glucose level and some physiological profiles on alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats. <br></p><p> <b>4. General Aim&nbsp;</b></p><p>To determine the modulatory role of cabbage supplement on blood glucose lipid profile and liver enzymes activities on alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats. <br></p><p> <b>1.4.1 Objectives of the Study&nbsp;</b></p><p>1. Determine the effects of cabbage supplement on serum glucose levels on alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats.</p><p>&nbsp;2. Determine the effects cabbage supplement on lipid profile namely; total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and total triglycerides on alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats.&nbsp;</p><p>3. To determine the effects of cabbage supplement on serum liver enzymes activities: alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferse (AST) and alkaline aminotransferase (ALP) on alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats. <br></p>