Effect of Aqueous Leaf Extract of Eriosema psoraleoides on Antihyperglycemic and Hypolipidemic Potentials in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Aim: This study was targeted at valuing a claim by traditional herbal practitioners that the leaf of Eriosema psoraleoides possesses a hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic property by assessing the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Eriosema psoraleoides on antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic potentials in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

Methodology: Thirty male albino rats weighing 180-220 g were divided into 5 experimental groups of six rats each; control, diabetic untreated, diabetic treated with glibenclamide and diabetic treated with Eriosema psoraleoides. Diabetes was induced by 130 mg/kg body weight (b.wt) of alloxan monohydrates. The control and diabetic groups received normal saline while the diabetic treated groups were administered with 0.3 mg/kg body weight glibenclamide, and 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous leaf extract of Eriosema psoraleoides respectively. The experiment period was 7 days, with the determination of their glucose level and body weight every two days. At the end of the experimental period, the animal’s blood samples were taken from the animals for the determination of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Statistical comparisons were performed by one-way analysis of variance with repeated measures and one-way analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s multiple range tests.

Results: The results of the study show a significant reduction in blood glucose. The result also showed that in diabetic rats, body weight was decreased but the application of the extract increased (P<0.05, n=6). Similarly, the result showed a significant decrease in total cholesterol, TG and LDL level of the diabetic group when compared with the control, glibenclamide and extract treated diabetic groups (with the highest performance at 400 mg/kg). Also, Eriosema psoraleoides aqueous leaf extract treated diabetic rat’s shows a significant increase in HDL levels compared to the diabetic control.

Conclusion: The study indicates that Eriosema psoraleoides possess hypolipidemic and antihyperglycemic potentials.