Effect of Citrullus lanatus Seeeds and Moringa oleifera Leaves on Glucose Level and Lipid Profile Parameters of Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Abstract

The use of natural products as a means of treatment for many physiological threats such as diabetes is currently gaining momentum in Nigeria. Diabetes is one of the most serious chronic disease and costly health problem affecting about 10% of the population. Hence this study was aimed at investigating the effect of Citrullus lanatus (watermelon) seeds and Moringa oleifera leaves on glucose level and lipid profile parameters in Alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. A total of thirty rats were divided into six groups of 5 rats each: Group I: Non Diabetic Control, Group II: Diabetic Control without treatment, Group III and IV represents Diabetic rats administered with ethanolic leaf extract of Moringa (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weight). Group V and VI represent Diabetic rats treated with watermelon seeds (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg body weight). At the end of the experiment, rats were fasted overnight and blood samples were collected under chloroform anaesthesia for the estimation of fasting blood glucose and lipid profile parameters using standard techniques. The results indicated a significant increase (p<0.05) in blood glucose in diabetic rats compared to non diabetic control. All the rats treated with ethanolic leaf extract of M. oleifera and C. lanatus seeds recorded a significant decrease in glucose level after 14days. There was no significant differences (p>0.05) in the lipid profile parameters between the non diabetic control and diabetic group. However, LDL was significantly lower (p<0.05) while HDL is significantly higher (p<0.05) in non diabetic group than the diabetic control group. A significant increase (p<0.05) in HDL levels in 400mg M. oleifera was recorded and also lower LDL values were seen in the diabetic Wistar rats treated with high and low dose of M. oleifera leavesand C. lanatus seeds compared to corresponding values in diabetic control. These findings indicate that C. lanatus seed and M. oleifera leaves extracts possesses hypoglycaemic activity and can be used as curative agents in the treatment of diabetes and its related complications.