Effects Of Corchorus Olitorius, Myrianthus Arboreus And Annona Muricata Aqueous Leaves Extracts On Body Weight, Blood Glucose Levels And Lipid Profile of Alloxan- Induced Diabetic Rats.

Onyechi A.U., Ibeanu V.N., Maduforo A.N.,*Ugwuonah A.U. andNsofor L.D.
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Department of Human Nutrition and Dietetics Enugu State Teaching Hospital Parklane, Enugu

*Corresponding authors email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT
Background: Many traditional leafy vegetables have been reported to have possible metabolic benefits in the prevention and management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Objective: This study investigated the effects of Corchorus olitorius, Myrianthus arboreus and Annona muricata aqueous leaves extracts on body weight, blood glucose levels and lipid profile of alloxan- induced diabetic rats.
Materials and methods: Fresh leaves of Corchorus olitorius (wild okro), Myrianthus arboreus (browse plant) and Annona muricata (sour sop) were collected from Obollo-Etiti in Udenu L.G.A, Enugu State. The leaves were systematically processed into an extracts. Half of the leave extracts were used to determine the pytochemical (alkaloids, flavonoids, saponnins and phenolics) composition of the extracts using standard methods. The other halves of the extracts were used to formulate diet with rat chow for the study. Thirty five male adult albino rats were randomized into seven groups for the experimental study. The feeding trial lasted for 14 days. The biochemical parameters (fasting blood glucose and lipid profile) and body weights of study groups were determined at baseline and at the end of the study using standard assay. Statistical analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS statistics software version 21. Paired sample T- test was also used to compare baseline values and end values.
Results: The result of the phytochemical analysis of the extracts showed that Annona muricata had the highest phytochemical compositions. The animal studies showed that the leave extracts of Corchorus olitorius, Myrianthus arboreus and Annona muricata at different levels of supplementation increased the mean body weight of the diabetic rats (p>0.05). The extracts caused significant (p<0.05) decrease in blood glucose levels, serum TC, TG and LDL-C and increased serum HDL-C levels of the rats.
Conclusion: The aqueous extracts of Corchorus olitorius, Myrianthus arboreus and Annona muricata leaves have antidiabetic potentials.