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Postweaning administration of aqueous leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium may improve obesity indices in young adult offspring
Okekem Amadi1, Deborah B Adeniyi2, Nkiru A Katchy2, Vivian Nwannadi2, Princewill Ikechukwu Ugwu2, Sandra Ugonne Ugwu2, Chioma R Iloabachie2, Chinedum U Emelike3, Odochi O Chukwu4, Cordilia O Iyare2
1 Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Reproductive and Developmental Programming Research Group, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria
2 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Reproductive and Developmental Programming Research Group, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu, Nigeria
3 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Reproductive and Developmental Programming Research Group, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu; Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu Alike, Abakaliki, Nigeria
4 Department of Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Reproductive and Developmental Programming Research Group, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu; Physiology Unit, College of Health Sciences, Evangel University, Akaeze Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Okekem Amadi
Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/njecp.njecp_32_21
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Introduction: Metabolic diseases are multifactorial resulting from genetic, physiological, behavioral, and environmental influences. Genetic influence alone does not suffice to explain the rate at which these diseases have increased. Diet manipulations during critical developmental periods have been used to identify their contribution to obesity and diabetes development in offspring. Gongronema latifolium (GL) has been used for many generations for medicinal and nonmedicinal purposes. The leaves of GL are primarily used as spice and vegetable in traditional folk medicine. Aim: The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of postweaning consumption of aqueous leaf extract of GL on obesity indices in young adult offspring. Materials and Methods: Adult female Wistar rats were used and pregnancy was achieved by introducing matured male Wistar rats of proven fertility at the ratio of two females to one male during proestrus. At the day of delivery, adult female rats were randomly divided into two groups; Group I (normal control) and Groups II–IV (GL extract-treated group). The offspring of the different maternal groups also assumed their mothers' group. Group I was the normal control group while Groups II–IV were given 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg of GL extract, respectively. At postnatal day (PND), 21 offspring were weaned from their mothers and assumed the group of their mothers till PND 42. Parameters such as body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, body weight-waist circumference ratio, insulin level, liver enzymes (ALT, ALP, and AST), and oral glucose tolerance were assessed in the experimental animals. Results: There was a significant decrease in anthropometric indices (body weight, BMI, waist circumference, body weight-waist circumference ratio) and serum ALT, ALP, and AST levels in the young adult offspring of the GL extract group. However, there was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in insulin level in offspring whose mothers consumed GL extract when compared to the values of the normal control. Conclusions: This study showed that postweaning consumption of GL had significant effects on anthropometric indices, hepatoactivity, insulin sensitivity, and blood glucose level.
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