Context: Pentacyclic triterpenes (such as maslinic acid) are natural anti-diabetic agents that ameliorate glucose metabolism in diet-induced prediabetes. However, the effects of bredemolic acid (BA), maslinic acid isomer, is yet unknown in prediabetic (PD) conditions.
Objectives: To investigate the effects of BA on some glucose homeostasis parameters in high-fat high-carbohydrate (HFHC) diet-induced PD rats.
Methods: Thirty-six (36) male rats (150-180 g) were divided into two groups, the normal diet (ND) non-prediabetic, NPD (n = 6) and the HFHC diet PD groups (n = 30). The PD animals were further sub-divided into five groups (n = 6) where they were treated with BA for 12 weeks while monitoring changes in blood glucose, caloric intake, and body weight.
Results: Diet-induced prediabetes resulted in increased body weight, caloric intake, glycated haemoglobin, and glucose tolerance. BA treatment ameliorated glucose tolerance, lowered plasma insulin and increased expression of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT 4) in rats.
Conclusions: BA administration restored glucose homeostasis in diet-induced prediabetes regardless of diet intervention.
Keywords: Bredemolic acid; glucose homeostasis; high-carbohydrate diet; high-fat diet; prediabetes.