In utero exposure to Hypoxis hemerocallidea Fisch., C.A.Mey. & Avé-Lall. improves metabolic syndrome parameters in pregnant rats and offspring

Abstract

Context: Intrauterine and early life environments contribute to adult metabolic phenotype. Use of medicinal plants like Hypoxis hemerocallidea during pregnancy raises the question of whether this species may have epigenetic benefits or detriments due to intrauterine-programming, which is phenotypically expressed in the offspring. Aims: To evaluate the effect of H. hemerocallidea on selected markers of metabolic syndrome on dams and their pups (offspring). Methods: Pregnant female Wistar rats (n=18) were divided into three treatment groups (n=6/group): Ethanol extract of H. hemerocallidea at 150 and 300 mg/kg b.w and the control (distilled water) were administered for 21 days. Body weights were monitored and oral glucose tolerance was determined for dams on day 20 of gestation and for pups 28 days postpartum. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), LDL and HDL were determined 28 days postpartum. Results: H. hemerocallidea had no effect on body and organ weights of the treated dams. Pups born to H. hemerocallidea dams had reduced visceral fat compared to the untreated controls. H. hemerocallidea increased the glucose tolerance of treated dams and their pups compared to untreated controls. H. hemerocallidea extract increased serum HDL in treated dams while it decreased LDL in pups born to treated dams. H. hemerocallidea increased TAC in pups born to treated dams. Conclusions: H. hemerocallidea protected pregnant dams and their pups from insulin resistance, improved lipid profiles, reduced visceral fat accumulation and boosted total antioxidant capacity in pups. These protective effects of H. hemerocallidea in pups may have resultedfrom intrauterine programming during pregnancy.

Keywords

• hypoxis hemerocallidea
• intrauterine programming
• insulin resistance
• metabolic syndrome