Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effect of Dialum guineense (ICHEKU) Fresh Leaves on Alloxan-induced Diabetes in Male Albino Rats

Background: According to current Globe Health Organization predictions, the number of diabetes patients globally will reach 370 million by 2030. It is expected to become one of the most frequent human degenerative diseases, necessitating immediate attention. Plants have long been used as a primary source of medicine.

Purpose: This study evaluated the effects of Dialium guineense (Dg) ethanol extract on hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties of alloxan-induced albino rats

Methods: Thirty-six (36) healthy male adult albino rats weighing 125-150g were divided into six groups with six rats each. Group 1 was the normal control (received feed and water only), and group 2 received only alloxan and served as untreated diabetic rats. Group 3 received 5 mg/kg bw of glibenclamide (standard drug), while groups 4, 5, and 6 received 200 mg/kg bw, 500 mg/kg bw, and 1000 mg/kg bw of Dg extract, respectively, for 28 days. The rats were induced intraperitoneally using alloxan monohydrate (100 mg/kg bodyweight). At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed under mild anesthesia with chloroform. Blood was collected for biochemical evaluation using standard techniques (Randox kits). Fasting blood glucose level was checked weekly.

Result: Blood sugar levels in the diabetic control group experienced severe hyperglycemia compared to normal animals. The blood glucose level in the negative control group was 359.5 ± 1.6 mg/dl on Day 0 and 389.0 ± 1.5 mg/dl on Day 28. Administration of Dialum guineense extract at 200 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the fasting blood glucose level in the diabetic rats on days 7,14,21, and 28 as compared to the negative control group. Increased total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) activities reduced significantly (p<0.05) in both groups treated with ethanol extract of Dialum guineense when compared with untreated diabetic rats. In contrast, HDL-C was not statistically significant compared to untreated diabetic rats.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that ethanolic extract of Dialum guineense leaves may have hypoglycemic and hyperlipidemic properties and may be used in managing diabetes, whose pathogenesis and progression are known to be influenced by oxidant species.