EFFECTS OF METHANOLIC STEM BARK EXTRACT OF Cassia sieberiana DC ON FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE AND SERUM LIPID PROFILE OF ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of methanolic stem bark extract of Cassia sieberiana (MSBECS) on fasting blood glucose (FBG) and serum lipid profile (SLP) of alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. The extract was prepared by cold maceration and administered orally at the dose of 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight to evaluate the effects on fasting blood glucose (FBG) of the diabetic rats, and at 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight (bw) for the serum lipid profile (SLP) assay. A total of 78 male albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) of 12 weeks of age were used for the study; 42 were used to evaluate the effects of the extract on FBG, while 36 were used for the SLP assay. Data from the study showed that the optimum anti-hyperglycemic activity of the C. sieberiana extract on the diabetic rats was recorded in the rat group given 50 mg/kg bw of MSBECS, and this did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from that of glibenclamide-treated rats. Treatment of the diabetic rats with the extract at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg bw produced a significant (p<0.05) increase/improvement in the serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), while rat groups given 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bw of the extract had a significantly (p<0.05) lower serum triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDLC). It was concluded the administration of MSBECS at 50 mg/kg bw led to significant reduction in FBG of diabetic rats comparable to that obtained in the control group treated with a standard anti-hyperglycaemic drug (glibenclamide), while treatment at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg bw led to favorable effects on the lipid profile of the diabetic rats. These findings validate the traditional use of the stem bark of C. sieberiana in the management of diabetes mellitus and its dyslipidaemia complications.