Effect of Oral Intake of African Locust Bean on Fasting Blood Sugar and Lipid Profile of Albino Rats

Background: African locust bean is a condiment believed to be for the people of low class. Its
health importance has not been fully known especially to the so-called high class.
Aim: This study is aimed at investigating the effect of African locust bean on fasting blood sugar and
lipid profile of albino rats.
Methods: African locust bean (ALB) was purchased from a local market at Orita-Challenge area of
Ibadan, Nigeria. They were sun dried and milled into powder using an electronic blender. The
powder was extracted with n-hexane (40–60°C) in a soxlet extractor for 18 hours. The defatted,
dried marc was repacked and then extracted with methanol. The dried marc was extracted with
methanol in the soxlet apparatus for 10 hours. The methanol solution was subsequently
concentrated in a rotatory evaporator at 40°C. Ten adult male albino rats with body weight between
100 and 120 g were purchased from the Animal Holding Unit of the Department of Physiology , University of Ibadan, Nigeria. They were allowed 7 days acclimatization period and were divided

randomly into 2 groups of five rats each. Animals in group 1 were administered normal saline
solution while those in group 2 were administered extract of African locust bean. The animals were
exposed to the African Locust Bean and saline solution at a dose of 3 ml per 100 g body weight 12
hourly via oral route of administration. After fourteen days of administration, the animals were fasted
overnight and anaesthetized using diethyl ether. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture.
Results: ALB was observed to significantly lower fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol and
triglyceride but increased HDL-cholesterol significantly when compared to those of the control group
at p