Effect of aqueous extract of Canavalia ensiformis seeds on hyperlipidaemia and hyperketonaemia in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

The effect of Canavalia ensiformis (DC) seeds on diabetic albino rats was studied. Alloxaninduced diabetes mellitus was accompanied by several fold increases in plasma glucose and urinary excretion of glucose. Total plasma triacylglycerol, cholesterol and hydroxybutyrate were also significantly increased (p<0.05). One-week oral administration of an aqueous extract of the seeds of C. ensiformis significantly reduced (p<0.05) hyperlipidaemia and hyperketonaemia in the diabetic rats. These results suggest that C. ensiformis seeds possess an antidiabetic principle and can be useful for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Canavalia ensiformis, alloxan, diabetes mellitus, triacylglycerol, cholesterol, -hydroxybutyrate