Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effect of Methanol Extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa Seed in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

Abstract

This study investigated the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of the oral administration of methanol extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa seed in alloxan induced diabetic albino rats. Two different doses (200 and 400 mg/kg) of the methanol extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa seed were administered daily to two groups of diabetic rats for a period of two weeks. Metformin (250 mg/kg) was given as the reference standard drug. Phytochemical, acute toxicity, fasting blood glucose, body weight, cholesterol, triglycerides and lipoproteins levels were determined using standard methods. Acute toxicity of methanol extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa seed was estimated to be greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight. There was an initial decrease in the body weight of the experimental animals after induction of diabetes which increased significantly (p<0.05) by the second week of treatment. The fasting blood glucose levels of the treated diabetic rats were significantly decreased at the second week of treatment with the group that received 400 mg/kg of extract recording the lowest fasting blood glucose level. The cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoproteins levels of the diabetic treated rats were significantly reduced while the high density lipoproteins level significantly increased. It can therefore be concluded that Hibiscus sabdariffa seed has the ability to lower blood sugar and maintain a stable lipid level.