Effects of Aqueous and Methanolic Leaf Extracts of Vitex doniana on Lipid Profile and Liver Enzymes of Alloxan Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

Abstract

The effect of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Vitex doniana leaves in serum lipid profile and liver enzymes in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats were investigated using standard analytical protocols. A total of 35 albino rats divided into seven groups of five rats each comprising one normal untreated group as animal control, one diabetic untreated group as diabetic control, one normal treated with 750mg/kg body weight as reference group, three diabetic groups treated with 250, 500 and 750mg/kg body weight respectively and one diabetic group treated with 5mg/kg Glibenclamide as standard. The result of acute toxicity test obtained indicated lethal dose (LD 50) of greater than 5000mg/kg extract. The results showed that induction of diabetes caused significant (P<0.05) elevation in the serum level of total cholesterol, triacylglycerides and low density lipoproteins, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase and significant (P<0.05) reduction in serum high density lipoproteins. The results indicated dose dependent significant (P<0.05) reductions in the elevated total cholesterol, triacylglycerides and low density lipoproteins, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase and significant (P<0.05) increase in high density lipoprotein in the reference and diabetic groups when compared to normal and diabetic control groups respectively after oral administration of Vitex doniana leaf extracts. It could therefore be concluded that Vitex doniana leaf extract is safe, medicinal and have anti-lipidemia properties and hepato-protective effects.