Anti-Hyperglycemic and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Potentials of Methanol Leaf Extracts of Aframomum melegueta and Piper guineense

Aim: The study investigated the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic potentials of methanol extracts of Piper guineense and Aframomum melegueta leaves with a view to utilizing the plants in the treatment and management of cardiovascular disorders.

Methodology: Twenty-eight healthy albino rats were randomly divided into seven equal groups: Group I received normal saline (2 ml/kg bwt); Group II received a single dose of alloxan(150 mg/kg bwt) intraperitoneally; Group III received alloxan (150 mg/kg bwt) + glibenclamide (5 mg/kg bwt);Group IV received alloxan (150 mg/kg bwt) +PG (200 mg/kg bwt); Group V received alloxan (150 mg/kg bwt) + PG (400 mg/kg bwt); Group VI received alloxan (150 mg/kg bwt) + AM 200 (mg/kg bwt); Group VII received alloxan (150 mg/kg bwt) + AM (400 mg/kg bwt). The blood glucose level was determined before and after treatment with the extracts. The lipid: (total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) were estimated using the Randox diagnostic kits.

Results: The results revealed that alloxan was able to induce hyperglycemia at 150 mg/kg bwt and post-treatment with P. guineense and A. melegueta at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/ kg bwt were able to significantly lower the blood glucose level which was quite apparent in AM treated groups. Also, the extracts at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg were able to bring a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in TC, TG and LDL concentrations when compared to the alloxan treated group with the highest reduction in AM treated groups.

Conclusion: These results revealed that the methanol extract of P. guineense and A. melegueta elicited anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic potentials of the extracts with the highest effect observed in A. melegueta treated rats.