Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic effects of <I>Laportea ovalifolia</I> (Urticaceae) in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Laportea ovalifolia (Scham and Thonn) is widly use in Cameroon for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The present study was designed to evaluate the antidiabetic and hypolipidaemic effects of aqueous extract of Laportea ovalifolia aerial part in normal and alloxan diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg kg –1 body weight). The treatment was given for 2 weeks. After the treatment a significant reduction was observed in fasting serum glucose levels in the treated diabetics rats. L. ovalifolia treatment showed considerable lowering of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, T.C/HDL.C and an increase in HDL cholesterol in the treated diabetic group. These results suggest that the Laportea ovalifolia aqueous extract of the aerial part possesses antidiabetic and hypolipideamic effects in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.