Moringa oleifera leaf and seed inclusive diets influenced the restoration of biochemicals associated with erectile dysfunction in the penile tissue of STZ-induced diabetic male rats treated with/without Acarbose drug

Effect of moringa seed extract in chlorpyrifos-induced cerebral and ocular toxicity in mice

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is one of the most commonly used organophosphosphate-based (OP) insecticides. Its wide use has led to higher morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. Moringa seed extracts (MSE) have shown neuroprotective activity, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial features. The literature lacks data investigating the role of MSE against CPF-induced cerebral and ocular toxicity in mice. Therefore, we aim to investigate this concern. A total of 40 mature male Wistar Albino mice were randomly distributed to five groups. Initially, they underwent a one-week adaptation period, followed by a one-week treatment regimen. The groups included a control group that received saline, MSE 100 mg/kg, CPF 12 mg/kg, CPF-MSE 50 mg/kg, and CPF-MSE 100 mg/kg. After the treatment phase, analyses were conducted on serum, ocular, and cerebral tissues. MSE100 and CPF-MSE100 normalized the pro-inflammatory markers (interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)) and AChE serum levels. CPF-MSE50 significantly enhanced these serum levels compared to CPF; however, it showed higher levels compared to the control. Moreover, the tissue analysis showed a significant decrease in oxidative stress (malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO)) and an increase in antioxidant markers (glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX)), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the treated groups compared to CPF. Importantly, the significance of these effects was found to be dose-dependent, particularly evident in the CPF-MSE100 group. We conclude that MSE has a promising therapeutic effect in the cerebral and ocular tissues of CPF-intoxicated mice, providing a potential solution for OP public health issues.

Effects of diet and antihyperglycemic drugs on erectile dysfunction: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Erectile dysfunction is recognized as one of the complications of diabetes mellitus. To date, a wide gap of knowledge is present on the efficacy of pharmacological treatments of diabetes mellitus on erectile function, acting not only through metabolic control. Similarly, the effects of different diet regimens on erectile dysfunction are still debated.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to explore the effects of diet and antihyperglycemic drugs, considering both old and novel therapeutic approaches, on erectile function.

MATERIALS/METHODS

We performed a systematic review, following the PRISMA guidelines. The research was conducted on studies reporting erectile dysfunction assessment in subjects with diabetes and the relationship with diet and antihyperglycemic drugs.

RESULTS

The Mediterranean diet was effective in most studies for the protection of erectile function. Furthermore, antihyperglycemic drugs seem to show an overall protective role on erectile function.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

Although encouraging results are present for all classes of antihyperglycemic drugs, several studies are needed in humans, mainly on acarbose, pioglitazone, dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitors, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors.

Long-term consequences of bilateral cavernous crush injury in normal and diabetic rats: a functional study

A recent statement from the European-Society-for-Sexual-Medicine has highlighted the limitations of using the rat model for nerve-sparing prostatectomy. The use of young rats with no comorbidities and the early evaluation of the erectile function (EF) are deemed a source of bias. Our aim was to evaluate the long-term consequences in EF of bilateral nerve cavernous crush- injury (BNCI) in type 1 diabetic (DM) rats 30-male/12-week-old rats were divided into four groups: Sham, BNCI, DM, and BNCI + DM. Sham group underwent an intraperitoneal injection (IP) of saline solution and after 1 month underwent a sham laparotomy. BNCI underwent an IP of saline solution and after 1 month to BNCI. DM underwent an IP of 60 mg/kg-1-streptozotocin (STZ) and after 1 month to a sham laparotomy. BNCI + DM underwent an IP of 60 mg/kg-1-STZ and after 1 month to BNCI. After 5 months from the induction of diabetes, all rats underwent measurement of intracorporeal pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) during CN-electrostimulation. Multiple groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis one-way analysis of variance followed by Mann-Whitney U test for post hoc comparisons. Blood glucose-level was higher (p < 0.05) in the groups with DM and BNCI + DM. After 5-months, DM and BNCI + DM also showed a lower weight compared to other groups (p < 0.05). No differences were noted in ICP/MAP between the sham and BNCI. BNCI + DM showed lower ICP/MAP compared to all the groups (p < 0.05). DM Showed lower ICP/MAP compared to Sham and BNCI (p < 0.05). BNCI in rats without comorbidities did not induce long-term erectile dysfunction (ED) suggesting a spontaneous EF recovery. BNCI in DM induced long-term ED. The results of previous short-term studies can only provide evidence on the time to recovery of spontaneous EF as to the actual EF recovery rate.

Plantain peels restore sexual performance, hormonal imbalance, and modulate nitric oxide production and key enzymes of penile function in paroxetine-sexually impaired male rats

This study focused on the effect of unripe (UPP) and ripe (RPP) plantain peels' extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg) on sexual behavior, hormonal profiles [testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH)], and enzymes [acetylcholinesterase (AChE), phosphodiesterase-5' (PDE-5), arginase, angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE), ecto-5'neucleotidase, and adenosine deaminase (ADA)] in paroxetine (PAR)-induced penile dysfunction rats. From the result, arginase, PDE-5', ACE, ecto-5'-nucleotidase ADA, and AChE activities, sexual activities, hormonal profile, and NO level were reduced, while thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) level increased (p < .05) relative to normal control rats. However, treatment with UPP and URP reduced the activities of these enzymes, decreased TBARS levels, and increased hormones, and penile NO levels in PAR-induced rats. Thus, the use of UPP and RPP could be channeled towards the improvement of sexual performance in erectile dysfunction (ED) disorder. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Plantain fruits are a tropical staple food crop commonly consumed at various stages of ripeness and cooking methods. However, its peels are regarded as a waste product with reported cases of environmental menace. Interestingly, plantain peel is being used as a major raw material for industrial applications in the agro-based industries and in folklore for the treatment of many human ailments due to its rich phytochemicals such as polyphenols, carotenoids, alkaloids, etc., which have been reported. A prelude study has also indicated its usefulness in ED management, but further pharmacological investigations are needed to proffer information on its effect in ED management and its anti-androgenic activity in male Wistar rats. The information from this study could be of pharmaceutical importance in designing natural remedies capable of improving penile rigidity, hormone profiles, and alteration of enzymes linked with ED.

Arginase: Biological and Therapeutic Implications in Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications

Arginase is a ubiquitous enzyme in the urea cycle (UC) that hydrolyzes L-arginine to urea and L-ornithine. Two mammalian arginase isoforms, arginase1 (ARG1) and arginase2 (ARG2), play a vital role in the regulation of β-cell functions, insulin resistance (IR), and vascular complications via modulating L-arginine metabolism, nitric oxide (NO) production, and inflammatory responses as well as oxidative stress. Basic and clinical studies reveal that abnormal alterations of arginase expression and activity are strongly associated with the onset and development of diabetes mellitus (DM) and its complications. As a result, targeting arginase may be a novel and promising approach for DM treatment. An increasing number of arginase inhibitors, including chemical and natural inhibitors, have been developed and shown to protect against the development of DM and its complications. In this review, we discuss the fundamental features of arginase. Next, the regulatory roles and underlying mechanisms of arginase in the pathogenesis and progression of DM and its complications are explored. Furthermore, we review the development and discuss the challenges of arginase inhibitors in treating DM and its related pathologies.

A Review on the Antidiabetic Properties of Moringa oleifera Extracts: Focusing on Oxidative Stress and Inflammation as Main Therapeutic Targets

Moringa oleifera is one of the popular plants that have shown significant health benefits. Certainly, preclinical evidence (predominantly from animal models) summarized in the current review supports the beneficial effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extracts in combating the prominent characteristic features of diabetes mellitus. This includes effective control of blood glucose or insulin levels, enhancement of insulin tissue sensitivity, improvement of blood lipid profiles, and protecting against organ damage under sustained conditions of hyperglycemia. Interestingly, as major complications implicated in the progression of diabetes, including organ damage, Moringa oleifera leaf and seed extracts could efficiently block the detrimental effects of oxidative stress and inflammation in these preclinical models. Notably, these extracts (especially leaf extracts) showed enhanced effects in strengthening intracellular antioxidant defences like catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione to lower lipid peroxidation products and reduce prominent pro-inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (1L)-β, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and nitric oxide synthase. From animal models of diabetes, the common and effective dose of leaf extracts of Moringa oleifera was 100-300 mg/kg, within the treatment duration of 2-8 weeks. Whereas supplementation with approximately 20 g leaf powder of Moringa oleifera for at least 2 weeks could improve postprandial blood glucose in subjects with prediabetes or diabetes. Although limited clinical studies have been conducted on the antidiabetic properties of Moringa oleifera, current findings provide an important platform for future research directed at developing this plant as a functional food to manage diabetic complications.

Moringa oleifera Seed at the Interface of Food and Medicine: Effect of Extracts on Some Reproductive Parameters, Hepatic and Renal Histology

The lipid-rich Seed of Moringa oleifera has been promoted as an effective water clarifier. Aside its vital nutritional application as an emerging food additive, the seed has continued to gain a wider acceptance in various global ethnomedicines for managing several communicable and lifestyle diseases, howbeit, its potential toxic effect, particularly on fertility and pregnancy outcomes has remained uninvestigated; the effect of Moringa oleifera seed (MOSE) aqueous-methanol extracts on fertility and pregnancy outcome, was investigated in vivo using female Wistar rats that were divided into 50, 100, 300 and 500 mg per kilogram body weight. Group six was given Moringa oleifera seed treated water ad-libitum (ad-libitum group). Organs harvested for histological assessment included ovary, uterus, liver and kidney. In addition to HPLC fingerprint and a preliminary peptide detection, we determined the physico-chemical characteristics and mineral content of MOSE using standard methods. Data were analyzed with significance at p ≤ 0.05. There was no significant difference in the estrus cycle, mating index, gestation survival index, gestation index, fertility index and sex ratio among all groups. Gestation length was reduced in some groups. While the male pup birth weight was comparable among the different groups, female pups birth weights were significantly reduced in 50 and 100 mg groups. Anogenital distance indices of female pups in ad libitum group were significantly increased. Pathologies were observed in liver and kidneys of dams while kidneys of pups presented a dose dependent reduction in the number of glomeruli. There were no observed pathological changes in the ovary and uterus. This study showed for the first time in rodents, that the lipid-rich MOSE is unsafe to the kidney of rodents while the lipid-free MOSE appears to be safe at doses up to 300 mg/kg body weight. Findings from this study suggested that the female pups were masculinized. In conclusion, the lipid-rich seed extracts of MOSE appear to be unsafe during pregnancy, induce hepatic and renal toxicity while the lipid-free MOSE excludes inherent toxicity as the hydrophobic part has been linked to toxicity as observed in this study due to the developmental programming effect on female offspring in rodents.

Diet, herbs and erectile function: A good friendship!

Plants and plant materials have been used for thousands of years to treat and control erectile dysfunction in men. This practice has spanned many cultures and traditions around the world, with the therapeutic effects of many plants attributed to their phytochemical constituents. This review explains how polyphenols (including phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, carotenoids, alkaloids and polyunsaturated fatty acids) in plants and plant food products interact with key enzymes (phosphodiesterase-5 [PDE-5], angiotensin-converting enzyme [ACE], acetylcholinesterase [AChE], adenosine deaminase [ADA] and arginase) associated with erectile dysfunction. By modulating or altering the activity of these physiologically important enzymes, various bioactive compounds from plants or plant products can synergistically or additively provide tremendous protection against male erectile problems.

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) leaf extract attenuates biochemical and histological parameters in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The present research aimed to investigate the attenuative effects of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) leaf extract on biochemical and histological parameters in a high-fat diet combined with a low-dose streptozotocin (HFD/STZ)-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus. Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into five groups, including three supplemented groups: 10 mg metformin/kg BW (HFD/STZ +M), 200 mg watermelon leaf extract /kg BW (HFD/STZ + LD), and 400 mg watermelon leaf extract /kg BW (HFD/STZ + HD). The efficacy of the 6-week intervention was evaluated by measuring body weight, fasting blood sugar, serum insulin, lipid profile, superoxide dismutase, catalase, malondialdehyde, and serum liver markers. Kidneys and liver structure were defined by histopathological examination. Results revealed that intervention with watermelon leaf extract attenuated the biochemical parameters and the structural changes in kidneys and liver. In brief, the watermelon leaf extract treatment could effectively decrease complications associated with diabetes better than metformin, and that the treatment with 400 mg/kg BW is the most potent. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This was the first study to investigate the antidiabetic potential of watermelon leaf extract in obese diabetic rats. Data revealed that the watermelon leaf extract significantly attenuated the HFD/STZ-induced diabetes changes, as evidenced by the biochemical and histological data. Hence, watermelon leaf could be an excellent candidate to be developed as a functional food ingredients or nutraceuticals for holistic management of diabetes mellitus and its complications.

Moringa oleifera Lam. seed extract protects kidney function in rats with diabetic nephropathy by increasing GSK-3β activity and activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

BACKGROUND

Moringa oleifera Lam. (M. oleifera) seeds are widely used in traditional folk medicine and as nutritional supplements in the Middle East, Africa, and other regions. Published research showed that M. oleifera seeds (MOS) have pharmacological activities such as blood glucose-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor effects. However, experimental evidence on the use of MOS to treat diabetic nephropathy and its underlying mechanisms were rarely reported.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the therapeutic effects of MOS extract on the kidneys of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy and reveal its underlying mechanisms.

STUDY DESIGN

HFD-fed rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy and high-glucose induced Human Renal Mesangial Cells (HRMC) were used to explore the protective effect of MOS on diabetic nephropathy in vivo and in vitro.

METHODS

HRMC were used to preliminarily evaluate the effect of MOS extract under high glucose conditions. For the in vivo study, rats were divided into the following 6 groups (n = 5): normal control group (NC), diabetic nephropathy model group (DN), high dose of MOS-treatment group (DN + MOS-H, 200 mg/kg/d); medium dose of MOS-treatment group (DN + MOS-M, 100 mg/kg/d); low dose of MOS-treatment group (DN + MOS-l, 50 mg/kg/d), and metformin-treatment group (DN + MET, 200 mg/kg/d). After 4 weeks of treatment, the damage caused by DN was assessed based on the related parameters of urine and blood. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were used to assess pathological tissue damage. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and phosphorylated-glycogen synthase kinase-3beta (P-GSK-3β) levels, whereas western blotting was used to detect Nrf2, HO-1, nephrin, GSK-3β, and p-GSK-3β levels.

RESULTS

MOS extract could inhibit the proliferation of HRMCs induced by high glucose levels. Compared with the rats in the DN group, MOS not only significantly reduced blood glucose levels and oxidative stress in the experimental rats but also improved their kidney function and reduced kidney tissue damage. Additionally, MOS extract increased GSK-3β activity and the expression of Nrf2 and HO-1.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that MOS could activate GSK-3β and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways to exert antioxidant and anti-renal fibrosis activities, and delay the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

Efficacy Evaluation of Plant Products in the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction Related to Diabetes

Erectile dysfunction affects more than 50% of diabetic male patients, with a higher prevalence compared with the general population. Age, clinical factors, and lifestyle habits have been suggested to contribute to the pathophysiology and worsening of erectile dysfunction in diabetic patients. First- and second-line standard treatments are represented by phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors and alprostadil, respectively. However, natural compounds have been suggested to ameliorate this clinical condition. This study aims to preclinically characterize the potential synergism among plant-derived products for the improvement of erectile dysfunction in the diabetic condition. The effects of a nutritional supplement composed of Panax ginseng, Moringa oleifera and rutin, as single agents or as a mixture, were evaluated in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model with erectile dysfunction. The treatment efficacy was evaluated by measuring sexual-related parameters (i.e., mount and intromission latencies, the mount and intromission frequencies and the ejaculation latency). Results showed that only the mixture was able to significantly reduce the diabetes-related delay in mount latency (p < 0.01). Substantial similar effects were observed by measuring the intromission latency and the mean number of mounts was very similar between rats treated with the mixture and controls. Single agent treatments showed very low effects in terms of intromission frequency, whereas the mixture was able to increase this parameter. Additionally, a statistically significant reduced ejaculation latency was observed in rats treated with the mixture compared with the STZ control. These results are in agreement with the available literature and suggest that the study mixture may ameliorate sexual behavior compared with the administration of the study natural compounds as single agents in diabetic rats. Further preclinical and clinical studies are needed to perform a more comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of the study mixture.

Moringa oleifera: A Tree of Life as a Promising Medicinal Plant for Neurodegenerative Diseases

Moringa oleifera, popularly known as a miracle tree or tree of life, has been extensively used as a functional food and nutritional asset worldwide. Ethnomedicinal and traditional uses of M. oleifera indicate that this plant might have a pleiotropic therapeutic efficacy against most human ailments. In fact, M. oleifera is reported to have several pharmacological activities, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antidiabetic, antipyretic, antiulcer, antispasmodic, antihypertensive, antitumor, hepatoprotective, and cardiac stimulant properties. Recently, a few experimental studies reported the neuroprotective effects of M. oleifera against Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Parkinson's disease, stroke, and neurotoxicity-related symptoms. In addition, several neuroprotective phytochemicals have been isolated from M. oleifera, which signifies that it can have promising neuroprotective effects. Therefore, this review aimed to explore the current updates and future prospective of neuroprotective efficacies of M. oleifera.

Role of Glucose-Lowering Medications in Erectile Dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a long-term complication of type 2 diabetes (T2D) widely known to affect the quality of life. Several aspects of altered metabolism in individuals with T2D may help to compromise the penile vasculature structure and functions, thus exacerbating the imbalance between smooth muscle contractility and relaxation. Among these, advanced glycation end-products and reactive oxygen species derived from a hyperglycaemic state are known to accelerate endothelial dysfunction by lowering nitric oxide bioavailability, the essential stimulus of relaxation. Although several studies have explained the pathogenetic mechanisms involved in the generation of erectile failure, few studies to date have described the efficacy of glucose-lowering medications in the restoration of normal sexual activity. Herein, we will present current knowledge about the main starters of the pathophysiology of diabetic ED and explore the role of different anti-diabetes therapies in the potential remission of ED, highlighting specific pathways whose activation or inhibition could be fundamental for sexual care in a diabetes setting.

Protective Effect of Cudrania tricuspidata Extract against High-Fat Diet Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease through Nrf-2/HO-1 Pathway

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is the most common chronic disease affecting a wide range of the world’s population and associated with obesity-induced metabolic syndrome. It is possibly emerging as a leading cause of life-threatening liver diseases for which a drug with a specific therapeutic target has not been developed yet. Previously, there have been reports on the benefits of Cudrania tricuspidata (CT) for treating obesity and diabetes via regulation of metabolic processes, such as lipogenesis, lipolysis, and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the ameliorative effect of orally administered 0.25% and 0.5% (w/w) CT mixed with high-fat diet (HFD) to C57BL/6J mice for 7 weeks. It was found that body weight, fat mass, hepatic mass, serum glucose level, and liver cholesterol levels were significantly reduced after CT treatment. In CT-treated HFD-fed mice, the mRNA expression levels of hepatic lipogenic and inflammatory cytokine-related genes were markedly reduced, whereas the expression level of epididymal lipogenic genes was increased. The mRNA expression level of beta-oxidation and Nrf-2/HO-1 genes significantly increased in CT-treated obese mice livers. We propose that CT alleviates hepatic steatosis by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

Evaluation of different almond (Terminalia catappa) extracts against oxidative stress induced by cyclosporine in brain and liver of rats

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to evaluate the ameliorative effect of almond (Terminalia catappa) leaf (ALE) and stem bark (ABE) extracts on the enzyme activities and oxidative stress markers in the brain and liver tissues of cyclosporine-A (CsA) stressed male albino rats.

METHODS

Eighty-eight adult male rats weighing between 200 and 220 g were randomly distributed to into 11 groups (n=8) and different doses (100 and 200 mg/kg bwt.) of ALE and ABE were administered through oral gavages to the normal rats and 50 mg/kg/bwt/day CsA-stressed, while normal control rats was given a saline solution (p.o), and the treatment lasted for 14 days. Blood plasma, liver and brain tissues were prepared for biochemical analysis.

RESULTS

Neuronal [acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butrylcholinesterase (BChE) and arginase] enzyme activities and thiobarbituric acid reactive species (TBARS) level, plasma aspartate transferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities, liver non-protein thiol (NPSH) level were analyzed. The results revealed that, the administration of CsA induced a significant increase in neuronal AChE, BChE, arginase, TBARS level, but decreased nitric oxide (NO) level. CsA also increased ALT, AST, and ALP activities in the blood plasma of CsA stress rats compared to normal control, but were significantly reversed respectively (p<0.001) upon treatment with the ALE and ABE dose-dependently.

CONCLUSIONS

The study revealed that ALE and ABE could prevent neuronal dysfunction and liver toxicity induced by CsA administration, however, higher dose (200 mg/kg) of the studied extracts appears to be more potent.

Effects of berberine on cholinesterases and monoamine oxidase activities, and antioxidant status in the brain of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats

OBJECTIVES

Several studies had been conducted to examine the link between diabetes and diabetes encephalopathy. This study was conducted to examine the potency of berberine (BER) on the restoration of impaired neurochemicals in the brain of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Wistar rats.

METHODS

Fifty-six (56) adult rats weighing between 200 and 230 g were randomly divided into seven groups (n=8) as follows; Group I is normal control; Groups II and III were normal rats treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg respectively; Group IV-VII were STZ-induced rats, but Groups V-VII were treated with acarbose (25 mg/kg), 50 and 100 mg/kg of BER, respectively.

RESULTS

The result of the study showed that untreated STZ-induced diabetic rats have increased acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities, and malonylaldehyde (MDA) level, with concomitant decrease of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and glutathione (GSH) level. However, daily treatment with 50 and 100 mg/kg BER and ACA significantly reversed these effects.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this study clearly indicated that BER possesses neuro-protective and antioxidative potentials and normalize neurochemical impairment distort by diabetes.

Effect of Plantain Bulb's Extract-Beverage Blend on Blood Glucose Levels, Antioxidant Status, and Carbohydrate Hydrolysing Enzymes in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

The pharmacological properties of various parts of plantain trees have directed its use in folkloric management of diabetes and other human ailments. However, little is known about plantain bulb extract (PBE) and their mechanisms of action. This study evaluated the effect of PBE-beverage blends (including 1% and 2 % cocoa powder) sweetened with honey on blood glucose levels, antioxidant status, and carbohydrate hydrolysing enzyme activities in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Animals were selected at random and distributed into 7 groups (n=7), as follows: normal control (NC), untreated diabetic rats, diabetic rats treated with acarbose (STZ-ACA), diabetic rats administered PBE (STZ- PBE), diabetic rats administered honey and PBE (STZ-HPBE), diabetic rats administered 1% cocoa powder-with HPBE blend (STZ-CHPBE-1), and diabetic rats administered 2% cocoa powder with HPBE blend (STZ-CHPBE-2). Compared with the controls, untreated diabetic rats exhibited increased blood glucose levels and hydrolysing enzyme activities, and significant decreases in the activities of antioxidant (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase, and glutathione peroxidase) enzyme and non-enzymatic (glutathione) antioxidants. However, changes in activities were comparatively reversed in all rats administered plantain bulb formulations. CHPBE-2 was slightly more effective than CHPBE-1. Overall, both blends could serve as nutraceutical and/or functional drinks in the management of diabetes.