Joy Imade OBANOR

The interaction between plant fibers and digestive enzymes is a critical aspect of gastrointestinal physiology, and plant fibers from traditional medicinal plants have attracted attention for their potential effects on digestive processes and metabolic health. However, the specific effects of Irvingia gabonensis (bush mango), Hunteria umbellata (osu), and Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) fibers on key small intestinal enzymes in a mammalian model are not fully elucidated. This study, therefore, investigated the effects of these plant fibers on the activities of disaccharidases (maltase, lactase, sucrase) and alkaline phosphatase, as well as total protein content and body weight, in the small intestinal mucosa of Wistar rats. Fifty-four (54) male wistar rats were divided into nine (9) groups of six (6) animals each, Control 1- fiber-free group, Control 2 Fybogel 1.5 %, Fybogel 3.0 %, Bush mango 5.0 %, Bush mango 10.0 %, Okra 5.0 %, Okra 10.0 %, Osu 5.0 %, and Osu 10.0 %. The animals were fed formulated diets containing different concentrations of each plant fiber for 36 days. The primary data collected were measurements of enzymatic activity, total protein content, and body weight gain. Enzyme activities (maltase, lactase, sucrase, and alkaline phosphatase) were assessed using spectrophotometric assays on the small intestinal mucosal homogenates. Statistical analysis was performed to determine significant variations in enzymatic activity, total protein, and body weight gain across the different dietary groups, with a threshold of p < 0.05 defining statistical significance. The findings demonstrated significant (p < 0.05) variations in enzymatic activity and metabolic parameters across the fiber-supplemented groups. Lactase activity was significantly elevated (122% increase) in the I. gabonensis 10.0 g group but significantly reduced by both doses of A. esculentus and the H. umbellata 10.0 g dose. Sucrase activity was consistently reduced across all plant fiber treatments, with H. umbellata showing the greatest reduction (44% decrease). Notably, alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly (p < 0.05) elevated in all fiber-supplemented diets compared to the fiber-free control (ranging from 105% to 353% increase). All plant fibers also significantly (p < 0.05) increased total protein content (up to 76% increase) and significantly (p < 0.05) reduced body weight gain (up to 35% decrease) compared to the control. These results suggested that supplementation with these plant fibers significantly modulated intestinal enzyme xi activities and influenced metabolic processes. The significant alterations in enzyme activities and weight control highlighted the potential therapeutic benefits of I. gabonensis, H. umbellata, and A. esculentus fibers in improving gastrointestinal health and metabolic function.