Physicochemical characterization and antidiabetic potential of the food formulation from Momordica balsamina leaf and Vigna subterranea seed in dexamethasone-induced insulin resistance rats

• The 50/50 formulation demonstrated the greatest antidiabetic activity. • The aqueous extract prepared using the 50/50 formulation demonstrated significant free radical scavenging potential. • The dietary formulation based on these two plants may be an alternative in the management of diabetic patients. • The pharmacological effects obtained in this study could be due to its fiber, protein, and polyphenolic compound content. Momordica balsamina is a plant widely distributed in Africa and is used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. Vigna subterranea is a legume, widely cultivated in sub-Saharan Africa and used for its nutritional and therapeutic properties. The present study aims to evaluate the effects of the food formulations from M. balsamina leaves and V. subterranea seeds (FF) in insulin-resistant rats. Insulin resistance was induced in male rats by subcutaneous injection of dexamethasone (1 mg/kg) one hour after pretreatment with metformin (Glucophage) and FF1: 40/60(%), FF2: 60/40(%), and FF3: 50/50(%). Body weight, glycemia, insulinemia, food intake, water consumption, glycogen, hepatic enzymes, lipid and oxidative profile, and hepatorenal markers were assessed. FF3 and metformin (Glucophage) significantly increased body weight and decreased food and water intake. Anti-atherogenic and HOMA-IR indices, ALT, AST, glucose-6-phosphatase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activities, and glucose, insulin, cholesterol, LDL-c, triglycerides, nitric oxide, and malondialdehyde levels were significantly reduced in insulin-resistant rats fed with various FF. There was also a significant increase in glucokinase, CAT and SOD activities, as well as glycogen, HDL-c, reduced glutathione, creatinine, urea, and uric acid levels. FF exerts an antidiabetic effect by reducing hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia, and by protecting the kidneys, liver, and heart from injury.