Effect of Hancornia speciosa aqueous extract treatment on biochemical parameters in diabetic pregnant rats

Materials and methods Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin (40 mg/Kg) in virgin female Wistar rats. After diabetes induction, rats were mated. The pregnant diabetic rats were put in four experimental groups, with n minimum=12 animals/ group: Non-diabetic; Non-diabetic Treated; Diabetic and Diabetic Treated. Hancornia speciosa leaf aqueous extract (600 mg/kg) was daily administered in all gestational period. On days 0, 7, 14 and 21 the glycemia were measured. On day 21 of pregnancy, all rats were anesthetized and killed. The blood and liver were collected. The biochemical parameters were analyzed for blood (glucose, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], total protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, High Density Level [HDL]-cholesterol) and also in liver (malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase, total glutathione, thiol group) for oxidative stress. Analysis of variance followed by Tukey's test were used. Differences were considered statistically significant when p<0.05. Results After treatment with H. speciosa extract, non-diabetic and diabetic rats presented no glycemic changes. Therefore, all the experimental groups showed increasing in glutathione levels compared to control group. Both diabetic groups presented higher levels of triglycerides and cholesterol and ALT actives, and also decreasing in serum protein levels compared to non-diabetic animals. Moreover, the treatment with H. speciosa in diabetic group increased HDL-cholesterol and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared to diabetic group.