Hypoglycaemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Root Extracts of Albizzia chevalieri in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats.

Abstract

The research investigated the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of aqueous and organic solvents extracts of Albizzia chevalieri root in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The aqueous extract was administered at 100, 200 and 300mg/kg body weight while the organic solvent fractions of the aqueous extract were administered at 100mg/kg body weight. The 300mg/kg body weight of the aqueous crude extract caused a 24% reduction of serum glucose level of the diabetic rats. The chloroform and hexane fractions caused 25 and 24% reduction of serum glucose level of the diabetic rats. The results were comparable to 28% reduction obtained for treatment with 3.57mg/kg body weight of chlorpropamide. The petroleum ether fraction decreased serum total cholesterol, triaclglyceride, and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels significantly (P<0.05). chloroform fraction and last water extract fractions increased the high density lipoprotein cholesterol level of the diabetic rats. The results demonstrate that the aqueous root extracts of Albizzia chevalieri posses significant (P<0.05) hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The extract may be a potential source of lead compound(s) with anti-diabetic properties.

Key words: Hypoglycaemia, hypolipidaemia, Albizzia chevalieri, root extract, alloxan-induced diabetic rats.