IMPACT OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF ALLIGATOR PEPPER ON GESTATIONAL WEIGHT GAIN IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC SPRAGUE DAWLEY RATS
Abstract
Alligator pepper (Aframomum meleguata) is a West African spice used as a vital condiment in ethnomedical preparations for the treatment of snakebites, stomachache-related disorders, hypertension, aphrodisiacs, and measles. It exerts an antidiabetic effect by obstructing the digestion and breaking down carbohydrates and complex sugars. Intra-peritoneal injection of aqueous extract of alligator pepper has also been found to reduce gestational weight gain in obese pregnant Sprague Dawley rats with obesity. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of an aqueous extract of alligator pepper on gestational weight gain in type 1 diabetic pregnant rats. Eighteen female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly allocated into three groups (A, B and C (n=6 each). Type 1 diabetes mellitus was induced in rats in groups B and C. Seventeen female rats that met the inclusion criteria were mated with 17 male rats in separate cages. The pregnant female rats were placed in separate maternity cages and fed with standard rat’s chow and water ad libitum. On day 4 of gestation, the rats in groups A and B were given an intra-peritoneal injection of 13.3ml/Kg body weight of distilled water, while the rats in group C were given an intra-peritoneal injection of 13.3mg/Kg body weight of aqueous extract of alligator pepper. There was a non-significant increase in the gestational weight gain from non-treated diabetic rats in group B (p > 0.05) and a significant decrease in the gestational weight of treated diabetic pregnant rats in group C (p < 0.05). Alligator pepper significantly reduces gestational weight in pregnant Sprague Dawley rats with type 1 diabetic mellitus
Keywords:
Alligator Pepper, gestational weight, Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Sprague Dawley RatsDownloads
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Copyright (c) 2025 Edwin Edna Ekeleoseya, Omodiagbe Omoiyebagbe, Imantabhunu Ehigha Samson, Omogbemhe Sunny Aselimhe , Okonofua David Ehikhuemen
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