Antioxidative Activity of Wakouba, a Salt Extracted from Elaeis guineensis Jacq in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: Oxidative stress plays a major role in the chronic complications of diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer etc. free radicals such as superoxyde anions, hydrogen peroxides cause severe cell damage. The use of plants is increasingly recommended to treat diseases related to oxidative stress. Aims: This work aims to evaluate the antioxidant properties of Wakouba, a salt extracted from Elaeis guineensis Jacq on biochemical markers of oxidative stress. Place and Duration of Study: Pharmacodynamie-biochemical UPR, Biology and Health Laboratory and Department of Radiology, Services Institute of Medical Sciences (SIMS), Services Hospital Lahore, between March 2017 and July 2018. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) by streptozotocin 55 mg / kg bw. The biochemical parameters such as insulin and glycemia, the activities and the level of markers of oxidative stress such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT) and Malondialdehyde (MDA) in the aorta, heart and the kidney were determined in the absence and presence of different doses of WAKOUBA (1000 and 2500 mg / kg bw) and GLIBENCLAMIDE, a reference product at 10 and 20 mg / kg bw. Results: The results showed that the administration of streptozotocin at 55 mg / kg bw in rats caused a significant drop (P<0.05) in insulin production followed by a significant increase (P < 0.05) in blood glucose. Similarly, during diabetes, the activities, and levels of oxidative stress markers (SOD, CAT and MDA) increased significantly (P < 0.05). WAKOUBA, at 1000 and 2500 mg / kg bw, significantly normalized insulin production, blood sugar levels, SOD and CAT activities and MDA levels in the aorta, heart, and kidneys in diabetic rats. The same results were obtained with GLIBENCLAMIDE at 10 and 20 mg / kg bw. Conclusion: This study showed that WAKOUBA, a salt extracted from Elaeis guineensis Jacq, lowered and normalized the activities of SOD, CAT and the level of MDA which are markers of oxidative stress in rats made diabetic by streptozocin. WAKOUBA also normalized insulin production and blood sugar levels in diabetic rats. WAKOUBA would have antioxidant properties coupled with antidiabetic properties, which might support its use in traditional medicine to treat diabetes.