title: Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of ethanolic leaf extract and fractions of Melanthera scandens.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activities of ethanolic leaf extract and fraction of Melanthera scandens (M. scandens) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  M. scandens leaf extract/fractions (37-111 mg/kg) were administered to alloxan-induced diabetic rats for 14 days and blood glucose levels (BGL) of the diabetic rats were monitored at intervals of 7 hours for acute study and 14 days for prolonged study. Lipid profiles of the treated diabetic rats were determined after the period of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment of alloxan-induced diabetic rats with the extract/fractions caused a significant (P<0.001) reduction in fasting bloodglucose levels (BGL) of the diabetic rats both in acute study and prolonged treatment (2 weeks). The activities of the extract and fractions were more than that of the reference drug, glibenclamide. The extract/fractions exerted a significant reduction in the levels of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL of extract with increases in HDL levels of the diabetic rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the leaf extract/fractions of M. scandens possesses antidiabetic effect on alloxan induced diabetic rats and this justifies its use in ethno medicine and can be exploited in the management of diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Enomfon J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Akpan
authors.forename: Jude E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Okokon
authors.forename: Emem
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Offong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry*; D051381:Rats; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Antidiabetic; Hypolididemic; Melanthera scandens