Antidiabetic potential of Hibiscus sabdariffa extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Plants are known to possess relatively high efficacy in the treatment of several chronic diseases with fewer adverse effects. In the recent years, numerous medicinal plants have been reported to be effective in treating diabetes. Hence, the present study aims to evaluate the antidiabetic property of hydroalcoholic extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) calyces in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg/kg, b.w), in male Wistar rats. Diabetic rats were administered daily oral doses of HS (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight) and Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg) for 21 days. Then, blood glucose levels, oral glucose tolerance test and lipid profiles were determined. Treatment with HS resulted in a significant dose dependent reduction of blood glucose levels accompanied by a significant improvement in body weight. The extract also enhanced the glucose tolerance and significantly decreased cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins levels while the high-density lipoproteins level significantly increased. From the results obtained, it can therefore be concluded that Hibiscus sabdariffa has an antidiabetic effect in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.