Effects of ethanol leaf fractions of Sida acuta and Ficus exasperata, alone and in combination, on lipid profile in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is associated with dyslipidemia, a metabolic disturbance that increases cardiovascular risk. This study evaluated the effects of ethanol leaf fractions of Sida acuta and Ficus exasperata, administered singly and in combination, on lipid profile parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Sixty-three female Wistar rats were divided into nine groups of seven rats each. Diabetes was induced using alloxan, and diabetic rats were treated orally for 28 days with glibenclamide, ethanol fraction of Sida acuta, ethanol fraction of Ficus exasperata, and combined ethanol fractions of both plants. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture into plain bottles, allowed to clot at room temperature and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes to obtain serum. Total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were determined using commercially prepared Randox diagnostic test kits according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were calculated. The diabetic untreated group showed dyslipidemia, characterized by increased total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, with reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared with the normal control. Treatment with the plant fractions produced varying improvements in lipid profile, especially in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The 200 mg/kg combined fraction produced the most favourable lipid-modulating effect, with several lipid parameters approaching normal control values. These findings suggest that ethanol leaf fractions of Sida acuta and Ficus exasperata may possess hypolipidemic potential in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats, particularly at selected doses and in combination.