O. E. Yakubu,E. Ojogbane, O. F. C. Nwodo, V. O. Nwaneri-Chidozie and M. N. Ugwu
Several herbal preparations are used to treat diabetes, but their reported hypoglycemic effects are complex. In this study, the lipid profile and lipid peroxides in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats treated with the leaves of Vitex doniana ethanol extract on was evaluated. Twenty five male rats were used in the study by randomly allocating them into five groups, each of five rats. Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally using 50mg/kg streptozotocin. Normal rats received distilled water, while diabetic rats were treated with 100mg/kg ethanol extract and glibenclamide (2.5mg/kg) respectively for 28 days. Changes in levels thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the liver as well as kidney, total cholesterol, low dwnsity lipoproteins (LDL), high density lipoproteins (HDL) and triglycerides (TG) were assayed. TBARS, LDL and TG levels were increased, while HDL level decreased significantly (P<0.05) owing to diabetic condition in control rats. Treatment with extract was able to revert these parameters to normal by increasing HDL and decreasing TBARS, LDL and TG levels. Hence, the extract was able to manage lipid peroxidation and hyperlipidemic conditions induced by streptozotocin, suggesting that it is a promising extract for the management of heart problems.
