Evaluation of hypolipidemic and potential antioxidant effects of Pigeon pea ( Cajanus cajan (l) mill sp.) leaves in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats.

Antioxidant and hypolipidemic activity of the methanolic leaf extract from Cajanus cajan was carried out in alloxan induced hyperglycemic rats. A significant (p<0.05) reduction in the levels of blood glucose, serum triglyceride, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed in the hyperglycemic-extract treated rats. The administration of the extract (200 mg/kg) also caused a reduction in urea, creatinine and malondialdehyde levels in hyperglycemic rats. The extract was found to be able bring about 34.4 and 32.16% decrease in the activities of ALT and AST respectively in the hyperglycemic-treated rats compared to untreated group. Antioxidant activity of the extract was also confirmed through in vitro studies.   Key words: Cajanus cajan, hypolipidemic effect, antioxidant activity.