Antioxidant and hypoglycemic effect of Vasconcellea candicans (A. Gray) A. DC. in albino mice: a native fruit of the Peruvian flora

Abstract

“Mito”, “Andean Papaya” and “kerko” are the popular names of Vasconcellea candicans (A. Gray) A. DC. In some regions in Peru, this species is a shrub tree, endemic to the Peruvian Andes and Ecuador. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and hypoglycemic effect of the ethanolic extract of Vasconcellea candicans fruit on alloxan-induced hyperglycemia in albino mice. Vasconcellea candicans fruits were collected in Uruiza, Lucanas-Ayacucho, Peru. Phytochemical analysis was carried out to confirm chemical groups, and antioxidant activity in vitro was measured using two methods, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic-acid) diammonium salt radical cation (ABTS). In the pharmacological evaluation, hyperglycemia was induced with alloxan using doses of 170 mg/kg in albino mice, animals with a glucose level of more than 250 mg/dL were included in the treatment. Animals were randomized into five groups (I: Alloxan 170 mg/kg; II, III, and IV: Vasconcellea candicans extract: 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg body weight; and V: glibenclamide 5 mg/kg). The phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, saponins, and phenolic compounds. It was observed that at doses of 100, 300, and 500 mg/kg, blood glucose was reduced by 43.6%, 60.8%, and 70.5 %, respectively, after 16 days of treatment. The ethanolic extract had an IC50 = 19.6±0.5 µg/mL and 5.05±0.01 µg/mL against DPPH and the ABTS radical, respectively. In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of the Vasconcellea candicans fruit was demonstrated to be effective at 500 mg/kg following 14 days of treatment in mice.