​Akee apple shows promise in cholesterol, diabetes management .

Guardian. Lagos. Nigeria. 15.11.12

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The leaves, seeds, fruits and roots of Akee apple could be used to develop novel drugs for cholesterol and diabetes control. CHUKWUMA MUANYA writes.
NIGERIAN researchers have demonstrated how regular intake of Akee apple extracts significantly reduced the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and Low Density Lipo-protein (LDL) -‘bad’ cholesterol and increased the ‘good’ cholesterol, High Density Lipo-protein (HDL) in animal studies.
The researchers have also shown how consumption of the aqueous extract of Akee apple root bark exerts significant hypoglycemic (blood sugar reducing) effect in normoglycemic (normal blood sugar) rats; and could be utilized in the removal of heavy metals (lead, cadmium and cobalt ions) from aqueous solution.
Commonly called Ackee or Akee apple in Nigeria, Blighia sapida is a member of the Sapindaceae (soapberry family). It is called Gwanja Kusa in Hausa, Ila in Nupe, Isin in Yoruba, and Okpu in Ibo. It is an evergreen tree of about 33 to 40 feet (10 to 12 metre) with a dense crown spreading branches.
A recent study published in the British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2(2): 89-97, 2012, concluded: “This study indicates that consumption of the aqueous extract of Blighia sapida root bark exerts significant hypoglycemic (blood sugar reducing) effect in normoglycemic (normal blood sugar) rats. These findings support the traditional use of aqueous extract of Blighia sapida root bark for controlling diabetes. Therefore, further studies to isolate active principle(s) of the extracts as well as to elucidate their exact mechanism(s) of action are recommended.”
Another study by researchers from the Department of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Samaru Zaria, Kaduna State, published recently in the Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, assessed the aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Blighia sapida for some lipid profile parameters in normal albino rats.
The researchers wrote: “Daily administration of the extracts (50 and 100 mg/kg body weight) for 21days showed that the extract significantly reduced the levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol in all the treated groups when compared with the control. While significantly higher value was observed for the HDL-cholesterol of all the treated groups when compared with the control, this effect was observed as dose dependent for aqueous extract.
“For the atherogenic indices, there was a significant increase in HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol ratio, while LDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol and log (TG/HDL- CH) ratio showed a significant decrease in treated groups compared to the control group. These findings may be of clinical importance to individuals at risk of cardiovascular disease.”
The researchers concluded: “This present study has clearly revealed that ethanolic and aquoeus extract of Blighia sapida have been found to be hypolipidemic and anti-atherogenic in rat. The information obtained from this work shows that the plant extract could be useful in improving and management of complications associated with patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases Thus, these findings are of clinical and nutritional relevance considering the divers uses of this plant.”
Another study published recently in the Journal of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology Vol. 4(10), pp. 178-187, July 2012, Akee apple pod could be utilized in the removal of heavy metals (lead, cadmium and cobalt ions) from aqueous solution.
Several researches have shown that hyperlipidaemia (high blood fats/lipids) and other abnormal blood lipid profile are largely of genetic origin or due to unwholesome nutritional habits.
Lipids and other substances accumulate on arterial wall, forming plague, which occlude the vascular lumen and obstruct the blood flow to vital organs such as the heart, brain, liver, or kidney. Obstruction of blood supply to the heart, brain, liver or kidney cause coronary heart diseases, stroke or kidney failure, as the case may be.
The important lipids whose elevations are implicated in these disease conditions are cholesterol and triacylglycerols. Lipids are transported as lipid-protein complexes called lipo-protiens, which are classified based on their density and charges. The High-density Lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) transports lipids out of blood cells to the liver, while the Low Density Lipoproteins cholesterol (LDL-c) mobilizes lipids against the cells and blood vessels.
Triacylglycerols have been found to be elevated along with total cholesterol elevation. Therefore, elevated low-density cholesterol, triacylglycerols and total cholesterol with reduced HD L-c will enhance the development of atherosclerosis and related cerebrovascular disorders.
Meanwhile, diabetes mellitus is a multifactorial disease, which is characterized by hyperglycemia, lipoprotein abnormalities, raised basal metabolic rate, defect in reactive oxygen species scavenging enzymes and altered intermediary metabolism of major food substances.
Diabetes being a major degenerative disease is found in all parts of the world and it is becoming the third most lethal disease of mankind and rapidly increasing. It is affecting at least 15 million people and having complications, which include hypertension, artherosclerosis and microcirculatory disorders.
Normally the body keeps blood sugar levels within a narrow range through the coordinated work of several organs and glands and their hormones, primarily insulin and glucagon. But factors such as disease or a poor diet can disrupt the mechanisms that regulate the sugar levels. Too much glucose results in hyperglycemia, one of the major symptoms of diabetes. Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) is a condition in which an excessive amount of glucose circulates in the blood plasma.
Hyperglycemia causes many of the health problem associated with diabetes, including eye, kidney, heart disease and nerve damage. However, hypoglycemia is most common among people with diabetes, as too much insulin can cause blood sugar levels to fall (an insulin reaction). Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a condition in which there is an abnormally low level of glucose (sugar) in blood. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can cause permanent neurological damage and death.