EVALUATION OF HYPOGLYCAEMIC, HYPOLIPIDAEMIC AND NON TOXIC EFFECT OF HYDRO-METHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF ZIZIPHUS MAURITIANA, ZIZIPHUS SPINA CHRISTI FRUIT AND GLIBENCLAMIDE ON ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The use of plant products in the management of diabetes has gained ground in pharmacotherapy. It becomes imperative to evaluate the antidiabetic effects of fruit extracts of Ziziphus mauritiana (HMZM), Ziziphus spina christi (HMZS) and Glibenclamide on blood glucose, total protein, albumin and lipid profile in alloxan induced diabetic rats. 68 albino rats weighing 70 - 130g were used in this study. 26 rats were used for acute toxicities of Ziziphus mauritiana and Ziziphus spina christi. 42 rats of 7 groups of 6 rats each were used to test antidiabetic effects of Ziziphus mauritiana and Ziziphus spina christi plant extracts. Group 1 served as the negative control, groups 2-7 were intraperitoneally administered 360mg/kg of alloxan in normal saline respectively. Group 2 served as positive control, groups 3 and 4; 5 and 6 were respectively administered daily dose of 200 and 400mg/kg of HMZM and HMZS, group 7 was administered 0.21mg/kg of glibenclamide. Results showed Ziziphus mauritiana and Ziziphus spina christi non toxic at dose of 5000mg/kg. 48 hours after alloxan administration, blood glucose levels were found to be significantly higher (P<0.05) in groups 2-7 compared to group 1, thus confirming induction of diabetes. In groups 3-7, on 7th and 14th days of administration of extracts and Glibenclamide, there was a significantly lower (p<0.05) serum glucose, triacylglycerol, High density Lipoprotein, Low density lipoprotein and significantly higher (P > 0.05) serum level of total protein and albumin compared to group 2. The results obtained showed a significantly lower (P < 0.05) serum level of glucose. The effects of HMZMand HMZS fruit extracts on blood glucose, total protein, albumin and lipid profile was dose dependent. Conclusively, this study has demonstrated the antidiabetic effects of HMZM and HMZS with HMZS having a more pronounced effect on Blood glucose and lipid profile. Keywords: Antidiabetic, Blood glucose, lipid profile, Glibenclamide, Ziziphus mauritiana, Ziziphus spina Christi