Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Aqueous Methanolic Extract of Acacia Nilotica Pods in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rabbits

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the effect of an aqueous methanol extract of Acacia nilotica pods (Anp) on various biochemical parameters, namely blood glucose levels, total cholesterol, High density lipids (HDLs), triglycerides, Serum Glutamate Oxaloacetate and Pyruvate Transaminase (SGOT, SGPT) and serum creatinine clearance in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. Rabbits were divided into three experimental groups: control, diabetic and Anp treated. The Anp treated group was further subdivided into three different groups based on the dose administered. This showed that a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight maximally reduced the blood glucose levels as compared to the diabetic group (p<0.001). This dose also significantly (p<0.05) lowered the plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride and Low-density lipids (LDLs) in treated rabbits as compared to diabetic rabbits. Furthermore, the same dose also significantly increased the plasma HDL levels of the treated group when compared with the diabetic group. Whereas the activity of SGOT and SGPT were decreased significantly (p<0.001). Anp extract in treated diabetic rabbits. Anp treatment showed no significant effect on creatinine clearance. For interest a paper with similar aims, but using water extract of Nigella stiva L. appeared in this journal in 2004, (Merel et at, 31 (1), 49-53).