Anti-diabetic efficacy of ethanol leaf extract of Hibiscus surrattensis (linn.) on alloxan -induced diabetic rats

Diabetes is a chronic disease caused by insufficient insulin production or the inability of the body to use the insulin produced. Hibiscus surattensis L. is a plant species from the genus Hibiscus (Malvaceae), with leaves that has been used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. The ethanol leaf extract of Hibiscus surattensis (Linn.), was evaluated for its anti-diabetic properties on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The experimental design used was complete randomized type for all the studied parameters undertaken. The standard Qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening of the plant extract gave positive test for saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phlabotanins, candiac glycoside and deoxysugar. Proximate analysis showed Moisture content (83.15 %), Crude liquid (1.4 %), Crude protein (1.75 %), Crude fibre (0.1%), Ash (13.46 %), Carbohydrate (0.14 %) and Calorie value (20.16 kcal). The medium lethal dose (LD50) was determined using intraperitoneal route which was calculated to be 4698.94 mg/kg. Animals in group 1; received 10mg/kg body weight/day of distilled water group 2; received 10 mg/kg of glibeniclamide, while group 3-5; received the low, medium and high doses of the plant extract. The anti-diabetic activities during acute and prolonged studies were investigated. Blood Glucose Level (BGL) was measured at intervals by using glucometer. The treatment was significant at (P = 0.05) causing reduction in BGL of the diabetic rats both in acute and prolong treatment. There were reductions in tissue degradation in treated diabetic rat compared to untreated rats