Effect of Methanolic Extract of Cassia occidentalis L. Root Bark on Body Weight and Selected Biochemical Parameters in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

The effect of the methanolic root extract of Cassia occidentalis L. on body weight and selected biochemical parameters were investigated. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of a single dose of alloxan (150 mg/kgbwt), after the confirmation of diabetes, extracts at three different dose levels (300, 400, 600 mg/kgbwt) and Metformin (Standard drug) were administered daily to alloxan induced diabetic rats for the period of 14 days. The experiment lasted for 21 days and within this period both blood glucose and body weight were measured at day 0, 7, 14 and 21. The body weight of all animals except those in the normal control group reduced significantly (p<0.05) throughout the experiment. Blood glucose levels and serum levels of Triglyceride, Total Cholesterol, Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) significantly increased (p<0.05), while the serum levels of Total protein, Albumin and High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) decreased significantly (p<0.05) in diabetic rats compared to the normal control. Treatment of the diabetic rats with the extracts was able to significantly reduce Blood glucose, Triglyceride, Total cholesterol and LDL and significantly increase Total protein, Albumin and HDL. Based on the result of this study optimum hypoglycaemic activity was observed in the animal group treated with 400mg/kgbwt of C.occidentalis root extract and this did not differ significantly (p>0.05) from that of metformin-treated rats. The present study shows that the Methanolic extract of C.occidentalis root has hypoglycaemic potential and is able to correct the dyslipidemia associated with hyperglycaemia. This finding scientifically proves its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes.