Hypoglycaemic and Hypolipidaemic Effects of Leptadenia hastata (Pers.) Decne in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Laptadenia hastata (Pers.) Decne. (Asclepiadaceae) is a widely distributed tropical African herb used as vegetable. It is also used traditionally in the management of diabetes mellitus and treatment of stomach ache. This study evaluated the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of water and methanol extracts of L. hastata in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats model. Oral administration of methanol and water extracts at 300 mg kg-1 body weight (bw) have significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the blood glucose and increased liver and muscle glycogen levels. Significant (p < 0.05) reduction of serum triglyceride, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels and an increase in high density lipoprotein cholesterol level were observed. The results of the current study have demonstrated the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of L. hastata extracts and underscore its potentials in the management of diabetes mellitus.