The Capsule

Abstract

This research study aimed to investigate and evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic activities of the semi purified alkaloidal extract of Chinaberry, Melia azedarach L. in Sprague-Dawley rats. Diabetic rats were induced by Streptozotocin intraperitoneally at a dose of 65mg/Kg body weight. Rats were divided into five (5) groups, negative control received 0.1M citrate buffer, group 2 to 5 were injected with Streptozotocin and were given with 5% glucose solution (2mL/Kg body weight) for 24 hours to prevent initial drug-induced hypoglycemic mortality. Group 2 received Streptozotocin alone, groups 3 & 4 received the semi purified alkaloidal extract of Chinaberry, Melia azedarach L. 100mg/Kg and 200 mg/Kg body weight, respectively. The last (positive control) group received Glibenclamide 10mg/Kg body weight given orally for 21 days. Whereas hypocholesterolemic activity, high cholesterol gained by inducing butter 400mg/Kg body weight (dissolved in 10 mL buffer saline) in SpragueDawley rats that were divided into five (5) groups. Group 1 was considered negative control, group 2 received double dose of butter diet, and groups 3 and 4 received the semi purified alkaloidal extract of Chinaberry, Melia azedarach L. 100mg/Kg and 200mg/Kg body weight, respectively. The last (positive control) group received Atorvastatin10mg/Kg body weight given orally for 21 days. The overall experimental results indicate that the semi purified alkaloidal leaf extract of Melia azedarach L. was effective in lowering hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in Sprague-Dawley rats. Mechanism of action needs to be envisaged.

Keywords: Semi-purified extract of Chinaberry, Melia azedarach L., hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic, glibenclamide, atorvastatin.