Ameliorative effect of Gongronema latifolium leaf extract on alloxan-induced diabetic cardiomyopathy in Wistar rats model

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) pathogenesis is complex, and the management options for DCM are limited. This study was designed to investigate the effect of Gongronema latifolium leaf extract on DCM in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Alloxan monohydrate was used to induce diabetes by an intraperitoneal injection of (150 mg/kg). Three diabetic groups were administered aqueous leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium at 6.36, 12.72, and 25.44 mg/kg bodyweight (BW) respectively; a group was administered with metformin (5 mg/kg BW), while the other two served as positive and negative control. Thereafter, fasting blood glucose, antioxidant enzymes, malondialdehyde level, serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-MB, cardiac Troponin I, C-reactive protein, and TNF-α were determined by standard methods. Aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium leaf significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the alloxan-induced increases in blood glucose, malondialdehyde, serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase-MB, cardiac Troponin I, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-α and increased the alloxan-induced decreases in superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, and glutathione transferase activities. All these changes were compared with those of metformin-treated diabetic rats. The data from this study suggest that aqueous extract of Gongronema latifolium ameliorated DCM by inhibiting redox imbalance and inflammation in diabetic rats.