Antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities of Curcuma longa L. rhizomes harvested from the plateau of Bateke (Kinshasa), Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

Introduction Diabetes is a chronic disease that constitutes a public health problem worldwide and more particularly in Africa, because of its morbidity and mortality and the cost of its management. The use of nutritional therapy represents the best strategy for managing this chronic disease. Purpose The present work aimed to determine the chemical composition of Curcuma longa L. rhizomes and to evaluate their antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities. Methods Chemical screening, energy value, and anti-radical and anti-diabetic activities were respectively carried out according to standard protocols. Results The results of the chemical composition revealed that the rhizomes of C. longa contain (per 100g of fresh mater) proteins (2.81%), lipids (18.76%), ashes (5.08%), and fibers (1.79%). Phytochemical screening showed that Curcuma longa rhizomes harvested from the Bateke plateau contain secondary metabolites such as total polyphenols, anthocyanins, tannins, alkaloids, and steroids. The antioxidant activity of C. longa aqueous extracts showed interesting antiradical activity (IC50: 2.88 µg/mL). The hypoglycemic activity was assessed in vivo in NMRI mice, and our extract showed hypoglycemic activity with a medium glycemic load index. Conclusion Curcuma longa displayed in vivo antidiabetic activity and constituted a source of nutrients and can be valued as a food with good antioxidant properties likely to protect against pathologies associated with radicals. Scientific-based alternative medicine and nutritional therapy represent the best approach for managing chronic diseases.

Keywords

• Curcuma longa
• Diabetes mellitus
• glycemic index
• Kinshasa
• Democratic Republic of the Congo