Blood Sugar Lowering Potentials of Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts of the Mixture of Rinds of Citrullus vulgaris Schrad (Watermelon) and Chrysophyllum albidum G. (Udara) Fruits on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Abstract

Citrullus vulgaris Schrad, commonly known as “watermelon” and Chrysophyllum albidum G., commonly called ‘‘Udara’’ are two important plants known to possess high antioxidant and therapeutic properties especially antidiabetic properties. The present study is aimed at investigating the blood glucose lowering potentials of both the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the mixture of rinds of C. vulgaris Schrad and C. albidum in normal and alloxan-induced-diabetic rats. Aqueous and ethanol rinds extracts of the mixture were administered in wistar albino rats of weight range of 150-200g to determine their blood glucose lowering activity. The oral administration of aqueous mixed rinds extracts at dose of 1500 mg/kg body weight (Group 4) for 9 days led to a highly significant blood glucose reduction at P<0.05 when compared to the diabetic control (Group 2) and the ethanol mixed rinds extracts at the same dose (Group 6). There was a significant reduction in blood glucose (P<0.05) by other group dose extracts (Groups 3,5 and 6) compared to diabetic control. Hence, aqueous mixed rinds extracts of Citrullus vulgaris Schrad and C. albidum might be recommended as a potential hypoglycemic drug in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.