ABSTRACT
The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of the methanolic extracts of Cymbopogon citratus on the hyperglycemic, hyperlipidemic and glycated hemoglobin levels of alloxan induced diabetic rats. Twenty male albino rats were used for the study and divided into four groups having five rats each. The non-diabetic groups (Normal control) were not induced, but administered 1ml of 0.9% of normal saline daily for 14 days. The diabetic group (Negative control) were induced and not given any treatment for this period. The standard group was treated with a standard drug (glibenclamide) at 5mg/kg.b.wt/day and the fourth group was treated with plant extract (Cymbopogon citratus) (150mg/kg.b.wt/day). Treatments was carried out for fourteen days, the glucose levels and body weights were determined at the end of every week, and serum lipid profile was determined at the end of the experiment. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) in fasting blood glucose (FBG) between the diabetic control (DC) group and the diabetic treatment groups and a decrease in the diabetic control groups. In the lipid profile, there was a significant reduction at (P<0.05) in the TC and GHg between the extract treated and glibenclamide treated compared with the diabetic control. And a significant reduction in HDL of the extract treated (P<0.05) in HDL of the extract treated compared with glibenclamide and diabetic group. And there was no significant difference at (P<0.05) in LDL and Triglyceride levels of extract diabetic control groups and diabetic treatment groups. The results suggest that methanolic leaf extract of Cymbopogon citratus may possess anti hyperglycemic and antilipidemic effect in alloxan induced diabetic rats.
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 Introduction
Diabetes mellitus characterized by elevated blood glucose level is basically a metabolic disorder arising from insufficient insulin production by the beta cells of the pancreas (Patel et al., 2008). Individuals with diabetes mellitus have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and premature mortality (Sarwar et al., 2010). Globally about 190million population having different age groups are affected by diabetes mellitus and is one of the most prominent cause of impairment and death worldwide (Klarin, 1993).
Diabetes mellitus long considered disease of minor significance to world health, is now taking its place as one of the main threads to human wealth in 21st century As at 2010, the incidence of the disease in general population was 210 million and is estimated to increase to 300million by the year 2025 (Rotella, 2004) the global increase in diabetes will occur due to population ageing and growth also because of the increase in trends towards obesity unhealthy diets and sedentary lifestyles (Juliana et al., 2009). Diabetes mellitus symptoms include polyphagia (increased hunger). Due to hyperglycemia malfunctioning and dysfunction of various organs such as heart (mainly myocardial infection), kidneys (diabetic nephropathy), nerves (diabetic neuropathy), eyes (diabetic retinopathy) usually occur (Zucch et al., 2005).
The high rate at which diabetes mellitus is on the increase worldwide is what is propelling researchers to investigate traditional medicinal plants that can be used for the management of the disorder. Natural herbs are plants or plant parts used for their therapeutic properties, scents or flavors. Presently, there is growing interest in herbal remedies due to the side effects associated with the oral hypoglycemic agents (therapeutic agent) for the treatment of diabetes mellitus (Upendra Rao et al., 2010).
Herbal products are rich in phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids and other constituents (Ji et al., 2009). In traditional Africa societies, phyto therapy is highly valued and widely utilized Marle and Farnsworth estimated that more than 1000 species are being used as folk medicine for diabetes (Marles and Farsworth 1995). The use of herbal plants for the management of certain diseases is due to their perceived effectiveness, fewer side effects in clinical experience and relatively low costs. (Verspohl, 2002) the phytoconstituents in herbal drugs greatly influence metabolic activities which directly affect glucose level that have been investigated and found to be effective and save for the lowring effect of blood sugar level include Combretum micrathum, Elephantopus scaber, Ricinus communis, Sarcopoterium ass (Cymbopogon citratus, spinosum anthelmintica and vernonia anthelmintica (Upendra Rao et al., 2010).
Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus ) is a perennial grass plant wildly distribute worldwide especially in tropical and subtropical countries (Fracisco et al., 2011). The plant could grow up to 6 inches high with bulblike stems consisting of terete and glabrous linearly venated sheathed leaves with narrow base and acute apex. When squeezed, the leaves produces yellow or amber coloured, aromatic, essential oil (Adejuwon and Esther, 2007) Lemon grass is a mildly diuretic and a stimulant tonic herb commonly used as spice, tea and in food preparations (okpashi et al., 2014). It possesses anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, anxiolytic and anti-hypertensive properties (Olorunnisola et al., 2014). It also has therapeutic and pharmacological effect on body tissues that aids in digestion, muscle cramps, relieves spasms, vascular disorder, pneumonia, rheumatism and headache (Vanisha and Hema, 2012).
1.1 Statement of the Problem
Looking at the rate of prevalence of diabetes in the world today and the guestimated figure by WHO in the nearest future which is quite alarming has necessitated researches into discovering and developing drugs from natural sources (plants) that can help to remedy the prevalence of the disease condition worldwide since reliance on synthetic drugs comes with side effects and tend to be cost effective for the common man in the society (Patil, 2010).
1.2 Aims and Objectives
This research is aimed at analysing the phytochemical constituents of Cymbopogon citratus and its anti-diabetic properties on alloxan induced diabetic rats for the purpose of management and treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Objective
- To determine the phytochemical constituents of methanolic leaf extract of Cymbopogon citratus .
- To determine the antihyperglycemic effect of methanolic leaf extract of Cymbopogon citratus in alloxan induced albino diabetic rats.
- To determine the antihyperlipidemic effects of methanolic leaf extract of Cymbopogon citratus in alloxan induced diabetic albino rats.
- To determine the effect of methanolic leaves extract of Cymbopogon citratus on glycohemoglobin levels in alloxan induced diabetic albino rats.
