Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of corchorus olitorius leaves as a food supplement on rats with alloxan-induced diabet

Abstract

Corchorus olitorius is a species of shrub in the family Malvaceae known to have rich sources of chemical compounds. The leaves of this plant are locally consumed as a vegetable and as a remedy in Africa, Middle East and Southern Asia. This study was designed to evaluate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of C. olitorius leaves sample given for 14 days as a food supplement to rats with alloxan-induced diabetes. Twenty one male albino rats weighing 150-200 g were randomly assigned into three groups: 1 – control rats; 2 – diabetic rats; 3 – diabetic rats fed with C. olitorius leaves as supplement. Phytochemical analysis of C. olitorius leaves ethanolic extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, anthraquinone, cardiac glycosides, saponins, tannins, phenols, phlobatannins and flavonoids. Diabetic rats fed with C. olitorius leaves as a supplement were shown to have significantly (P < 0.01) decreased plasma glucose, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides levels when compared with untreated diabetic rats. The findings from this study indicated that C. olitorius leaf possesses hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties.