Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: February | Volume: 9 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 32-38
Use of Achyranthes aspera Linn Tea as Antidiabetic and Hypolipidemic Herbal Tea
Bede Evelyn Njideka1, Akobundu Enoch Nwankwo Theophilus2, Nwabueze Titus Ugochukwu2
1Department of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nigeria.
2Department of Food Science and Technology, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria.
Corresponding Author: Bede Evelyn Njideka
ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effects of Achyranthes aspera Linn tea on blood glucose and blood lipids, of alloxan- induced diabetic rats.
Methods: The stem, leaves and flowers of Achyranthes aspera Linn plant; one of the traditional antidiabetic plant used in many countries were collectively processed into a herbal tea. Proximate and phytochemical compositions of the herbal tea were determined. Antidiabetic and hypolipidemic properties of the herbal tea were evaluated on five group of rats: NC (non-diabetic rat group given rat feed and tap water), DC (diabetic rat group given rat feed and tap water), CON1 (diabetic rat group given rat feed and 1 g/100 ml of herbal tea), CON2 (diabetic rat group given rat feed and 2 g/100 ml of herbal tea) and CON3 (diabetic rat group given rat feed and 3 g/100 ml of herbal tea). Feed, water and herbal tea were provided ad libitum for the respective groups for twenty one days. The average fasting blood glucose concentrations of the different groups were determined every week while the lipid profile was determined at the end of the treatment period.
Results: Results showed that the herbal tea contains alkaloids, tannins, phenolics, saponins, flavonoids, phytosterols and cardiac glycosides. The average fasting blood glucose concentrations of CON1, CON2 and CON3 dropped from 370.4 mg/dl to 302.6 mg/dl; 366.0 mg/dl to 229.4 mg/dl and 383.4 mg/dl to 259.2 mg/dl respectively while that of DC increased from 357.8 mg/dl to 496.17 mg/dl after 1 week of administration. The herbal tea had no effect on mean serum TCH, HDL and LDL cholesterol but caused significant reduction in mean serum Triglyceride in CON1, CON2 and CON3.
Key words: Achyranthes aspera Linn, Antidiabetic, Herbal Tea, Hypolipidemic