Effects Of Cassia Tora Leaf Extracts On Blood Glucose And Lipid Profile Of Alloxan – Induced Diabetic Rats.

Nwankwo, R. N, Nnam, N. M , Ta’awu, K.G3, Ularamu, J.

1Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Federal Polytechnic Mubi
2 Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Nigeria, Nsukka
3-4Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal Polytechnic Mubi.

Corresponding author: [email protected];

ABSTRACT

Background: Many leafy vegetables and their extracts have been found to be effective in the management of many non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Objective: The study investigated the effect of methanol extract of Cassia tora leaf on blood glucose and lipid profile of alloxan – induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods: Two kilogramme of fresh Cassia tora leaves (tabsa) was bought from Mubi daily market, Adamawa state Nigeria. The vegetables were picked, cleaned and pulverized using gallenkamp mixer kenwood – MPR 201. Methanol (extracting solvent) was used to produce the leaf extracts. A half of the vegetable extracts were used to determine the proximate, some minerals, vitamins, antinutrients and phytochemical compositions of the leaves using standard methods. The other half of the extracts was used with rat chow for feeding rats to ascertain the effect of the compositions on blood glucose and lipid profile of alloxan – induced diabetic rats using standard methods.A standard antidiabetic drug served as the standard control. Rat chow and Water was given adlibitum. Means and standard deviation of the triplicate determinations of all the data were calculated with Statistical Product and Service Solution (SPSS) version 20.

Results: The results revealed high amounts of proximate components, minerals, vitamins, phytochemicals and low levels of antinutrients in the Cassia tora leaf extracts. The animal studies showed that the rats fed with 1000mg / kg BW of Cassia tora leaf extract had reduced blood glucose concentration (23.92%) more than the group fed with standard antidiabetic drug used (17.23 %) (p<0.05). It also improved the lipid profile.

Conclusion: The methanol extracts of Cassia tora leaf have antidiabetic potentials.