Effects of aqueous leaf extract of Harungana madagascariensis Lam. ex Poir (Family: Hypericacea) on alloxan-induced diabetic rats were investigated. 500 mg/kg body weight extract was administered orally twice daily for 7 days. Blood glucose, cholesterol, bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (AP) levels hitherto raised in diabetic rats consequent upon induction of diabetes, were significantly (p<0.05) reduced following administration of the extract, except for ALT (p>0.05) . In contrast, the significant (p<0.05) decrease in plasma protein of the rats injected with alloxan were significantly (p<0.05) increased by administration of the extract compared to diabetic control rats, suggesting membrane structure and integrity of liver cells were restored. Neither alloxan nor the extract had any significant effect on albumin concentration. The results indicate the aqueous extract of Harungana madagascariensis leaf is antihyperglycaemic and antihypercholesterolaemic justifying its folkloric use as a diabetic agent and appears to have the propensity to restore damaged liver cells back to functionality.
Keywords: Albino-Rats, Biochemical Effects, Diabetes Mellitus, Harungana Madagascariensis Lam, Medicinal Plant
