Anti-diabetic and hypolipidaemic activities of Solenostemon monostachyus

Background & Aim: Solenostemon monostachyus has remain invincible in Ibibio ethnomedicine for the management of numerous ailment including diabetes mellitus. Many of these ethnomedicinal claims are yet to be pharmacologically verified. The purpose of this study therefore was to subject the extract/fractions of Solenostemon monostachyus used in folkloric management of diabetes to scientific assay. Experimental: The crude extract and fractions of S. monostachyus (75 -225 mg/kg) were evaluated for antidiabetic activity in alloxan – induced diabetic rats. The antidiabetic activity during acute and prolong studies were investigated. Glibenclamide, 10 mg/kg, was used as positive control. The Blood Glucose Level (BGL) was measured by using a glucometer and the various lipids level were estimated using Randox diagnostic kits. Results & Discussion: Treatment of alloxan diabetic rats with the extract/fractions caused a significant (p<0.001) reductions in BGL of the diabetic rats both in acute and prolong treatment (two weeks). The activities of extract and fractions were comparable to that of glibenclamide in prolonged study. S. monostachyus treatment showed considerable lowering of serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and an increase in HDL cholesterol in the treated diabetic group. Industrial and practical recommendations: These results suggest that the extract of S. monostachyus possesses anti-diabetic and hypolipidaemic effect on alloxan-induced diabetic rats which can be exploited in the management of diabetes.