Hypoglycaemic, Hypolipidaemic and Possible Toxicity of the Methanolic Fruit Pulp Extract of Hyphane thebaica (L) Mart in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Shehu, B.B., Gidado, A. and Buratai L.B.

Department of Biochemistry,

University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

E-mail: abbaganabenisheikhali@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

The antidiabetic effect of methanolic extract of Hyphaene thebaica (L) mart was studied at sub-acute level. Three different doses (200, 400 and 800 mg/kg body weight) of the extract were administered to alloxan-induced diabetic rats daily for 45 days. Weekly fasting blood glucose and body weight were monitored and at the end of the experimental period the rats were killed, blood collected and effect of the extract on lipid profile, indices of liver and kidney function assessed from the serum collected after processing  the blood. All the doses significantly (P<0.05) reduce the fasting blood glucose of the alloxan diabetic rats. The maximum percent reduction of 57.36% was observed within the group administered the 400mg/kg body weight extract. The effect was however not dose dependent, the extract also ameliorated the increases observed in the indices of liver and kidney function and also corrected imbalances observed in lipid profiles of diabetic control group. Hyphaene thebaica fruit has antidiabetic effect is further supported by the result of this study.