Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.)-enriched Plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.) Biscuits ameliorates Diabetes, Hypertension and Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin/High-Fat Diet induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract This study was designed to investigate the effect of shallot-enriched plantain biscuits (SEPB) on diabetes, hypertension, and oxidative stress in streptozotocin (STZ)/high-fat diet (HFD)-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into six groups: Group 1: Control, Group 2: Untreated diabetic rats, Groups 3 and 4: Diabetic rats fed with plantain biscuit supplemented with 0% and 20% shallot, respectively, Group 5: Diabetic rats fed with commercial onion biscuit, and Group 6: Diabetic rats orally treated with Metformin (100 mg/kg, body weight). The treatment lasted for 14 days. Glucose levels, lipid profiles, atherogenic/coronary risk indices, and hepatic/renal function markers in the plasma of diabetic rats were evaluated. Assessment of α-amylase, α-glucosidase, and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activities were carried out. Furthermore, the activities/levels of oxidative stress markers and histopathology status were assessed in the liver and kidney of the experimental rats using standard methods. Our results showed that SEPB significantly (p < 0.05) lowered glucose levels, moderated lipid profile function, and ameliorated hepato-renal dysfunctions in diabetic rats. The activities of pancreatic α-amylase, intestinal α-glucosidase, and hepatic/renal ACE increased significantly (p < 0.05) in diabetic rats fed with SEPB compared to untreated diabetic rats. Furthermore, SEPB significantly (p < 0.05) mitigated oxidative stress as adjudged by increased glutathione peroxidase, glutathione transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities, coupled with decreased lipid peroxidation in diabetic rats. The results obtained from the histopathology assessment further confirm the protective potentials of SEPB. The study suggested that SEPB exhibits antidiabetic, antihypertensive, and antioxidant potentials; hence, it may be suitable as a functional snack.