Preliminary Study of Hypoglycaemic and Hypolipidemic Activity of Aqueous Root Extract of Ricinus Communis in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Since diabetes mellitus is a major risk factor that leads to secondary conditions like cardiovascular disease, management of the condition include controlling other risk factors that may lead to secondary conditions in addition to managing diabetes, the primary condition.This work aimed at investigating the hypoglycaemic potential, lipid profile effects and phytochemistry of Ricinus communis L (root). Powdered root of Ricinus communis was subjected to phytochemical analysis. A dose of 500mg/kg crude aqueous root extract was administered orally to alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Diabetic rats administered Glibenclamide orally served as the positive controls. Fasting blood glucose was monitored daily. Serum lipid profile was analyzed on the last day of the experiment. Coronary Risk Index (CRI) was calculated from the lipid profile parameters. The extract reduced fasting blood glucose by 61.9% and glibenclamide by 69.8%. The root extract caused a significant reduction in CRI of the rats under study. Tannin, saponin, cardenolide and alkaloid were detected in the plant. The detected bioactive principles were probably responsible for the hypoglycaemic effect observed. The reduced CRI observed also showed the potential of the extract in reducing artherosclerosis, a complication of diabetes.