Nutritional content of selected species of tropical eggplant fruit (Solanum spp) diet Attenuates hepatic inflammation in high-fat fed male Wistar rats induced with streptozotocin

: Tropical Solanum species contains a high level of phenolic acids and flavonoids, which were found to inhibit some key enzymes associated with the incidence of type 2 diabetes in in vitro and in vivo models based on earlier studies. This study was further designed to compare the nutritional properties, glycemic index, and hypolipidemic and the antioxidant effects of three species of tropical eggplant fruit (Solanum kumba, Solanum aethiopicum, and Solanum gilo) diet on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced nephrotoxicity in male Wistar rats. The animal model was subjected to high-fat diet prior to interperitional administration of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg wt); thereafter, the rats were given supplemented eggplant fruit diet, which lasted for 14 days. Determination of lipid content [triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), and total cholesterol (TC)], was assessed, while the liver biomarker enzymes alanine aminotransferase (ALT) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST), also endogenous enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), were determined. Histopathological assessment of inflammation was carried out on kidney while the blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, and creatinine level on the kidney function were determined. The results showed that the groups with supplemented eggplant diet had significant (p < 0.05) reduction in lipid profile, decreased leakages of the liver, and kidney function enzymes while there was restoration of depleted endogenous antioxidant enzymes. The inflammatory cells and fat deposit from the histopathological view were reduced. However, S. kumba had the best nutritional output.