ABSTRACT
Aframomum melegueta (Zingiberaceae) seeds are used in West Africa, as a remedy for variety of ailments such as stomach ache, snakebite, diarrhea and anti-inflammatory properties. The hypoglycaemic effects of crude leaf extract of Aframomum melegueta on the treatment of alloxan induced diabetes in male rats and non-diabetic rats (control) were examined in this study. Results obtained from the experiment showed that the elevated blood glucose level caused by oral administration of 250 mg / kg body weight of alloxan was reduced significantly (p < 0.01) by oral administration of Aframomum melegueta leaf extract doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg with the exception of 20 mg/kg when compared to control groups. The non-diabetic groups that received the extract showed reduction in blood sugar level as the dose increases when compared to their control group. There was a final weight gain and organ restoration for both the diabetic and non-diabetic rats after treatment when compared with their controls. This study showed that the extract have hypoglycemic and prophylactic effects.