Effect of unripe Blighia Sapida fruit on hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidemia, oxido-inflammatory stress and apoptosis in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract Background Blighia sapida (ackee) unripe fruit is known for its hypoglycaemic effect at toxic dose, however, its antidiabetic activity at small dose is fairly unknown. This study aimed to investigate antidiabetic potentials from B. sapida unripe fruit extract. Methods Unripe B. sapida fruits were air-dried, ground and extracted sequentially with n-hexane and methanol. GC-MS profiles of phytochemical consitutents were determined in B. sapida fruit extract (BSFE). In vitro antioxidant, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activity were also determined. Antidiabetic effect was investigated in 3-weeks High-fat diet fed rats injected with streptozotocin (35 mg/kg). Rats with FBS > 200 mg/dL were randomly grouped into 5 (n = 6) and treated with vehicle, BSFE (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) and metformin (250 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally daily for 14 days. FBS was taken at 7 and 14 days, while blood, brain and liver were collected for biochemical and histological analysis. Results The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of various compounds. BSFE showed potent antioxidant, as well as α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitory activities. The BSFE (25–100 mg/kg) when compared with diabetic control significantly reduced FBS on day 14 by 64.7%, 61.1%, and 64.2%. BSFE significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL and atherogenic index. BSFE treatment significantly reduced MDA and nitrites levels, while increasing GSH, catalase and SOD in the diabetes affected organs, liver and brain. Also, TNF-α, IL-6, caspase-3 and caspase-9 levels were reduced in the liver and brain of diabetic rats treated with BSFE. Conclusion Blighia sapida unripe fruit extract showed promising antihyperglycaemic, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective effects through antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic mechanisms.