Effect Of Ethanolic Root Extract Of Sphenocentrum Jollyanum On Lipid Profile Of Alloxan -Induced Diabetic Wistar Albino Rats:- Nzerem Chioma B

ABSTRACT vii This study is to provide scientific basis for the folkloric use of Sphenocentrum jollyannum roots in the management and/control of diabetes mellitus. The effects of the extract on blood glucose level and serum lipid profile in alloxan-induced diabetic rats was investigated. The efficacy was also compared with that of glibenclamide, a known antidiabetic drug. Twenty adult Wistar rats were randomly, divided into five groups (normal control, positive control, negative control, low dose and high dose groups) of four rats each and used for this research. Diabetes mellitus was induced in positive control, negative control, low dose and high dose groups single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150mg/kg body weight) dissolved in normal saline. Normal control group rats administered only water and feed ad libitum, positive control received glibenclamide (0.5mg/kg) once daily for two weeks, negative control was left untreated while low and high dose groups received ethanolic extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight, respectively. The rats were sacrificed after the experiment and blood was collected for laboratory analysis. The results showed a significant (P < 0.05) fall in blood glucose and serum lipid levels with ethanolic extract and glibenclamide administration. A significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the rise of lipids in serum and improvement in the lipid levels to an almost normal condition was also observed in the positive control group. Sphenocentrum jollyanum roots possess hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects on diabetic rats lending credence to its use in the traditional management and/or control of diabetes mellitus.