Antidiabetic effect of kolaviron, a biflavonoid complex isolated from Garcinia kola seeds, in Wistar rats.

BACKGROUND Hypoglycaemic effect of kolaviron (KV), (biflavonoid from Garcinia kola) in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats has been established. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the possible protective effects of KV on cardiac, renal and hepatic tissues of STZ-diabetic rats. METHODS This study consists of four groups of 6 rats each. Groups one and two contained non-diabetic and untreated-diabetic rats, respectively. Groups three and four were made up of KV- and glibenclamide (GB) - treated diabetic rats, respectively. RESULTS STZ-intoxication caused a significant (p<0.05) increase in the relative weight of liver in diabetic rats. STZ-diabetic rats had significant increase (p<0.05) in the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), á-amylase and HbA1c. A marked and significant (p<0.05) increase in the levels of cardiac, renal and liver marker indices such as serum creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, urea and alanine aminotransferase were observed in untreated diabetic rats. Also, untreated diabetic rats had significantly (p<0.05) elevated urinary glucose and protein and, lowered creatinine clearance. In KV- and GB- treated groups, the levels of FBG, á-amylase and HbA1c were significantly (p<0.05) reduced, while treatment with KV significantly (p<0.05) attenuated the cardiac, renal and liver marker indices. CONCLUSION KV offered significant antidiabetic and tissues protective effects in the rats.