**3.1 RPO in diabetes mellitus**

The effects of palm oil (PO) and groundnut oil (GO) supplementation on the antioxidant status and diabetic indices in Alloxan (100 mg/kg) induced diabetic Wistar rats was investigated. In this study, blood glucose, plasma vitamin E, superoxide dismutase (SOD), total protein and albumin levels were measured. It was concluded that GO exhibited superior antioxidant activities and that the supplementation of red palm oil and ground nut oil as a source of antioxidant was beneficial in diabetic state as it reduced blood glucose and enhance antioxidant status [20]. A similar study investigated the antioxidant status in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male Wistar rats following intake of red palm oil and/or rooibos. The result revealed the anti-oxidative potentials of red palm oil, rooibos, and a synergistic effect of their combination in diabetic conditions, hence, they could be beneficial in the management of diabetes and its complications [21].
