Abstract:
The research investigated the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of aqueous and
organic solvents extracts of Albizzia chevalieri root in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The aqueous extract
was administered at 100, 200 and 300mg/kg body weight while the organic solvent fractions of the
aqueous extract were administered at 100mg/kg body weight. The 300mg/kg body weight of the aqueous
crude extract caused a 24% reduction of serum glucose level of the diabetic rats. The chloroform and
hexane fractions caused 25 and 24% reduction of serum glucose level of the diabetic rats. The results
were comparable to 28% reduction obtained for treatment with 3.57mg/kg body weight of
chlorpropamide. The petroleum ether fraction decreased serum total cholesterol, triaclglyceride, and very
low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels significantly (P<0.05). chloroform fraction and last water
extract fractions increased the high density lipoprotein cholesterol level of the diabetic rats. The results
demonstrate that the aqueous root extracts of Albizzia chevalieri posses significant (P<0.05)
hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The extract may be a potential
source of lead compound(s) with anti-diabetic properties
