Antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Hibiscus schizopetalus [Mast] Hook in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

ABSTRACT

The antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of Hibiscus schizopetalus [Mast] Hook [Malvaceae] flower and leaves extracts were investigated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The hypoglycemic activity of both the extracts [100mg/kg, body weight] was tested in fasting normal rat, glucose loaded rats. Observation on body weight was also recorded. The extracts showed a significant [P<0.001] reduction in blood glucose level in normal fasting rats. In glucose tolerance test, significant [P<0.01] decreased observed in all glucose loaded animals. While in alloxan induced diabetic rats, the percent blood glucose reduction was 59.94% and 45.14% in extracts treated groups. The results obtained were compared with the reference standard drug Tolbutamide [100mg/kg, body weight]. The diabetic rats showed sign of decreased in their body weight during the treatment period. Cholesterol and triglycerides levels were significantly decreased [P<0.001] by HFE. The results obtained demonstrated the potential hypoglycemic activity of methanolic extracts of H. schizopetalus. There is need of bioassay-directed assay of the active principles responsible for the anti-diabetic activity. The methanolic extracts showed the presence of carbohydrates, alkaloids, steroids, terpenes, saponins and glycosides.