Abstract

The effect of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Zingiber officinale on plasma cholesterol and glucose concentration in albino rats was determined. Thirty albino rats weighing between 225 – 270 g were divided into six groups of five rats each. Group 1 (control 1) rats were fed 100% growers mash whereas group 2 (control 2) rats and other groups were fed 99% growers mash and 1% cholesterol. Subsequently, group 3 rats were given 0.8 ml/kg body weight of H. sabdarffaextract, while those in group 4 were given 0.2 ml Z. officinale extract/kg body weight. Rats in group 5 were given 1 ml of H. sabdariffa and Z. officinale mixture (17.2 mg/400 ml+ 8.6 mg/200 ml). Rats in group 6 were given the same treatment as those in group 5 but different concentration of the mixture (17.2 mg/200 ml+8.6 mg/100 ml) respectively. The rats were treated with the extracts once a day, 7 days a week for 6 weeks. Groups 3, 4, 5, and 6 revealed a statistically significant (p < 0.05) decrease in plasma cholesterol. Also, plasma glucose was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in groups 3, 4, 5 and 6. Group 6 had the greatest reduction in plasma glucose, test value (group 6) 0.60 ± 0.28 when compared with control value 5.14 ± 0.89. Therefore, the plants H. sabdariffa and Z. officinale apart from being hypocholesterolemic are also hypoglycemic.

Key words: H. sabdariffa, Z. officinale, aqueous extracts, plasma Cholesterol, plasma glucose.