Hypolipidemic and Antioxidant Activities of Corrigiola telephiifolia in Diabetic Rats

OBJECTIVE: The evaluation of the hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of the aerial parts aqueous extract of Corrigiola telephiifolia (APAE of C. telephiifolia) in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. METHODS: The effects of oral administration of APAE of C. telephiifolia (5 mg/kg) on the lipid profile as well as the in vitro antioxidant activity of this aqueous extract have been determined. RESULTS: APAE of C. telephiifolia (5 mg/kg) reduced significantly (p<0.001) the plasma total cholesterol levels in diabetic rats. In contrast, no significant increase in plasma triglyceride levels in normal and in STZ-induced diabetic rats was observed. On the other hand, APAE of C. telephiifolia showed an antioxidant activity. CONCLUSION: The APAE of C. telephiifolia exhibits an antioxidant, cholesterol and body weight-lowering activities in diabetic rats.