JUDE E. OKOKON, BASSEY S. ANTIA, EMEM E. UMOH, EMMANUEL I. ETIM
Evaluation of antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic activities of ethanolic root extract of Hippocratea africana (200,400 and 600mg/kg b.w.p.o) were carried out in streptozotocin induced diabetic albino rats after a single dose (acute study) and after prolonged treatment(chronic study). The activity of the extract was compared with that of referenced drug,glibenclamide (10mg/kg bw.p.o).The blood glucose level was measured by using a glucometer and the various lipids level were estimated using Randox diagnostic kits.Treatment of streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats with the extract caused a significant (P<0.01) reduction in fasting Blood Glucose levels (BGL) of the diabetic rats both in acute study and prolonged treatment (2 weeks). The activity of the extract was comparable to that of the reference drug, glibenclamide. H. africana treatment showed considerable lowering of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and an increase in HDL cholesterol in the treated diabetic group. These results suggest that the root extract of H. africana possesses antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic effect on streptozotocin induced diabetic rats and confirms its folkloric use in the management of diabetes.
