African star apple leaf extract attenuates hyperglycemic mediated cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Background Diabetes is a chronic disease affecting millions of people. It is associated dementia. Over the years the use of natural product such African star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) with strong antioxidant activities has been study for treating of diabetes. This study is carried out to evaluate African star apple possible anti‐diabetic, neuroprotective and effects on neuro‐ cognition in streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rats model using Morris water maze to evaluate spatial working memory, Malondialdehyde (MDA) as biomarker for tissue damage while superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as antioxidant enzyme markers assayed using spectrophotometer. Methods Thirty male Sprague‐Dawley (S‐D) rats used were divided into six groups (n = 5) viz: A‐ control, B‐ Diabetic model (50mg/kg bw STZ), C‐ Diabetic model +2mg/kg bw glibenclamide, D‐Diabetic model +125mg/kg bw African star apple leaf extract, STZ+250mg/kg bw African star apple leaf extract and STZ+500mg/kg bw African star apple leaf extract. Treatment was for 21 days via oral administration. The prefrontal cortices excised were processed for histological examination. Results Diabetic model was characterized by a decline in final body weight, spatial memory, antioxidants enzymes (SOD and CAT) with an elevation in MDA and blood glucose levels in addition to marked disruption of the neurons in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) characterized by presence of pkynotic and necrotic pyramidal neurons of the PFC. Furthermore, African star apple leaf extract significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and cognitive functions in a dose‐dependent manner (P>0.05) as compared to the diabetic model. Conclusion Diabetes can result in cognitive impairment via hyperglycemic mediated neurodegeneration which is attenuated by African star apple leaf extract ability to increase antioxidant enzymes, reduce neuro‐inflammation thereby improving neuronal function for memory and cognition.