Antioxidant potency of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus moench) pods extract preserve langerhans islet structure and insulin sensitivity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

This study aimed at determining the effect of various fractions of okra pods extract (VOPE) on fasting blood glucose, the diameter of the islets of Langerhans, number of β-cells of the islets of Langerhans and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in diabetic mice. This study used 35 male Balb/c strain mice. The samples were divided into seven groups, KN (normal control), KD (diabetic control), KA (acarbose control; 100 mg/kg body weight), EK (crude extract; 100 mg/kg body weight), NP (non-polar; 20.04 mg/kg body weight), SP (semi-polar; 27.39 mg/kg body weight) and EP (polar; 54.11 mg/kg body weight). VOPE and acarbose administered orally for 14 days in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of multiple low-dose streptozotocin (30 mg/kg body weight) daily for five consecutive days. On day 15^th, mice were sacrified. Interestingly, administration of VOPE decreased fasting blood glucose level, increasing the diameter of the islets of Langerhans, number of β-cells of the islets of Langerhans, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. In sum, VOPE was a promising antioxidant agent due to amelioration of the islets of Langerhans.