ABSTRACT
The importance of Eleusine coracana (Finger millet) against diabetes mellitus is documented in literature. The efficacy of its leaf extract in the management of diabetes is well acclaimed among rural communities of Northern Nigeria. This study was aimed at investigating the antihyperglycaemic and antihyperlipidaemic potentials of the leaf extract of E. coracana in alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic rats. Phytochemical screening and oral median lethal dose (LD50) estimation of E. coracana extract (ECE) were carried out. Hyperglycaemia was induced in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate (130 mg/kg). The ECE at oral doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg were administrated once daily to the hyperglycaemic rats for14 days. The effect of ECE on fasting blood glucose level, body weight, low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) were measured and analyzed. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, phenols, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides while the oral LD50 was estimated to be >5000 mg/kg. Administration of graded doses of ECE significantly (p
Key words: Diabetes mellitus, Eleusine coracana, Hyperglycaemia, Hyperlipidaemia, Alloxan
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