Effect of co-administration of extracts of Vernonia amygdalina and Azadirachta indica on lipid profile and oxidative stress in hepatocytes of normal and diabetic rats

Abstract

Effect of combined administration of extracts of Vernonia amydalina (VA) and Azadirachta indica (AI) on oxidative stress indices and serum lipid profile of normal and diabetic rats was evaluated. Result indicated a significant decrease (p<0.05) in catalase (CAT) activity, but non-significant decreases (p>0.05) in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and in the extent of lipid peroxidation non-significant increase (p>0.05) in malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration of untreated diabetic rats relative to the normal control. Treatment with combined extracts of VA and AI caused significant elevation in GPx, SOD and CAT activities, and reduction in MDA concentration in hepatocytes, hence antioxidant activity. This antioxidant potential was also demonstrated in normal rats which received the treatment. The combined extracts also caused mild increase and decrease in serum high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations, but a respective significant (p<0.05) decrease and increase in serum total cholesterol (TC) and anti-atherogenic index (HDL/TC) when compared to diabetic control. Co-administration of extracts of VA and AI may positively modulate the antioxidant defense system and prevent atherosclerosis in diabetes.