Biochemical Effects of N-Hexane and Chloroform Fractions of Ceiba pentandra Leaf Used in the Folkloric Treatment of Diabetes

Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antidiabetic properties of n-hexane and chloroform fractions of ethanol extract of Ceiba pentandra leaf was investigated in alloxan induced diabetic rats.
Study Design: Experimental study design.
Methodology: Twenty eight healthy albino rats weighing between 100-180 g were randomly allotted to seven groups of four rats each. 100 mg/kg bodyweight (b.w) of alloxan monohydrate was administered intraperitonially to rats and rats with blood glucose >200 mg/kg b.w considered diabetic. 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w of both fractions (n-Hexane and Chloroform) were administered to rats in their respective groups orally once daily for twelve days. The blood glucose was checked after every four days and the experiment was terminated on the seventeenth day. The animals were anesthetized under chloroform vapor and the blood samples were collected by carotid puncture into heparin and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) bottles.
Results & Discussion: Both fractions showed significant (P<0.05) hypoglycemic activity when compared to untreated group, and no significant (P>0.05) gain in bodyweights were observed. The fractions possess hematopoietic activity as there was a significant (p<0.05) increase in platelet count in chloroform extract treated group and white blood cell count in all the groups treated with fractions. All the fractions showed significant (P<0.05) decrease in low density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglyceride, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, alkaline aminotransferase, potassium, urea and chloride levels as opposed to the untreated group. 200 mg/kg b.w of n- hexane fraction group depicted more lowering effect (p<0.05) on cholesterol and triglyceride while 400 mg/kg b.w of same extract treated group showed a significant (p<0.05) elevation. Generally, there were no variations in total protein and serum albumin among the groups. Sodium, bicarbonate, high density lipoprotein, total bilirubin, creatinine and conjugated bilirubin showed significant (p<0.05) increase in all treated groups when compared with normoglycaemic group.
Conclusion: n-hexane and chloroform fractions contain potent hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agents which are dose dependent and capable of reversing hyperglycemia and the abnormalities associated with the pathophysiology of diabetes mellitus.