Hypoglycaemic and Hypolipidaemic Effect of Extract of Lantana camara Linn. Leaf on Alloxan Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with high prevalence worldwide and is a major medical concern. This study investigated the effect of extract and fractions of Lantana camara Linn. leaf on alloxan diabetes in rats. Phytochemical screening was carried out using standard qualitative procedures. The antidiabetic activity was evaluated using adult male albino rats induced with diabetes using 150mg/kg alloxan monohydrate. Daily oral administration of the extract and its fraction was via oral route for 28days.  Estimation of glucose and lipid profile of rats was done using specific laboratory kits. Weekly monitoring of fasting glucose level was done using microprocessor digital blood glucose meter and accompanying strips. Column and planar chromatography was adopted for isolation of bioactive compounds in the fractions. Detection spray tests were employed for identification of isolated compounds. Carbohydrates, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, polyphenols, sterols, saponins, tannins and triterpenoids were present in the extract and fractions. The seventy percent ethanol extract, aqueous and n-butanol fractions of L. camara Linn .leaf exhibited significant (p<0.05) hypoglycaemic activity. Hypolipidaemic effect was also observed. Triterpenes were isolated from the aqueous and n-butanol fractions. The study provided evidence of antidiabetic action of extract and fractions of L. camara Linn. leaf . Triterpenes are possibly responsible for the hypoglycaemic activity. Triterpenes and sterols come with great hope for discovery of new drugs for treatment of diseases such as diabetes.

Keywords: hypoglycaemia, hypolipidaemia, triterpenes.