Hypoglycaemic and Hypolipidaemic Effects of the Aqueous Leaf Extracts of Tithonia diversifolia

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic effects of the aqueous leaf extract of Tithonia diversifolia in Wistar albino rats.
Methodology: Aqueous extracts of the leaves of Tithonia diversifolia was screened for hypoglycemic and hypolipidaemic activity at 400 mg/kg body weight in alloxan induced diabetic Wistar albino rats for 21 days.The extracts were administered orally for 21 days and blood glucose levels were checked at the end of 21 days.Also an hourly assessment of the percentage reduction in blood glucose level was done in diabetic rats giving a single oral dose of 400mg/kg aqueous extract of Tithonia diversifolia. High density lipoprotein (HDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL), total serum cholesterol and triglycerides levels were also estimated. A comparison was made between the action of Tithonia diversifolia leaf extract and glibenclamide a standard drug.
Results: The extract caused 82.3% reduction in blood sugar level of diabetic rats at the end of the 21 days treatment and also caused a36.0% reductions in blood sugar level 24 hours after administration of a single dose of the aqueous extract. The extract equally produces statistical significant reductions in the values of serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein while it significantly increased the serum high density lipoprotein.

Conclusion: This study thus indicates that Tithonia diversifolia aqueous leaf extract produces significant glycemic and lipids control in diabetic rats, these findings may imply a therapeutic advantage in the use of the extract in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus.