The use of natural products as a means of treatment for diabetes is currently gaining momentum in Nigeria.Hence this study was aimed at investigating the hypoglycaemic and antioxidant properties of Citrullus lanatus(watermelon)seeds and Moringa oleifera leaves in Alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats.A total of thirty rats were divided into six groups of 5 rats each.At the end of the experiment,rats were fasted overnight and blood samples were collected under chloroform anaesthesia for estimation of fasting blood glucose,antioxidant vitaminsA,C,E and fasting lipid profile using standard techniques.
Total of thirty rats were divided into six groups of 5 rats each.At the end of the experiment,rats were fasted overnight and blood samples were collected under chloroform anaesthesia for estimation of fasting blood glucose,antioxidant vitaminsA,C,E and fasting lipid profile using standard techniques.
The results indicated a significant increase(p<0.05)in blood glucose and a significant decrease(p<0.05)in antioxidant vitamins in diabetic rats compared to non diabetic control.All the rats treated with ethanolic leaf extract of M.oleifera and C.lanatus seeds recorded a significant decrease in glucose level after 14days.Diabetic rats treated with both plants extract recorded a significant increase (P<0.05)in serum antioxidant vitamins.However, vitaminE was not significantly(P>0.05)increased in 200mg Moringa compared to the diabetic control.There were no significant differences (p>0.05)in the lipid profile parameters between the non diabetic control and diabetic group. However,LDL was significantly lower(p<0.05) while HDL was significantly higher(p<0.05)in non diabetic group than the diabetic control group.
These findings indicate that C.lanatus seed and M.oleifera leaves extracts possess hypoglycaemic and antioxidant properties.