Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Official Journal of Pharmacotherpy Group
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Control of hyperlipidaemia, hypercholesterolaemia and hyperketonaemia by aqueous extract of Dioscorea dumetorum tuber

Rachel Nimenibo–Uadia

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Benin, P.M.B. 1154, Benin City, Nigeria

Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2003; 2(1): 183-189

Abstract  Full Text

Purpose: Dioscorea dumetorum (Pax) used in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus possesses hypoglycaemic effect. The present study investigates the effect of oral administration of the aqueous extract of the tuber on blood lipid and ketone levels in alloxan–induced diabetic rats.

Method: Wistar strain albino rats were made diabetic with the intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate. Consequently, an aqueous extract of Dioscorea dumetorum tuber was administered orally to the diabetic rats and their plasma and urine glucose, triacylglycerol, cholesterol and β-hydroxybutyrate concentrations were estimated using standard procedures. Results were compared with untreated normal and diabetic control rats. Phytochemical screening of the extract of the tuber was also carried out.

Results: Treatment with the extract significantly (p<0.05) reduced elevated blood levels of triacylglycerol, cholesterol and b–hydroxybutyrate associated with alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus. The aqueous extract tested positive for flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins and cardiac glycosides.

Conclusion:  From this study, the tuber has proved not only to be an effective hypoglycaemic agent, but also possesses significant (p<0.05) hypolipidaemic and hypocholesterolaemic properties while also ameliorating ketosis.

Keywords: Alloxan, β-hydroxybutyrate, diabetes, cholesterol, Dioscorea dumetorum, triacylglycerol

Correspondence should be addressed:  E-mail: nim-uad@mail.com