The effect of
Canavalia ensiformis
(DC) seeds on diabetic albino rats was studied. Alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus was accompanied by several fold increases in plasma glucose and urinary excretion of glucose. Total plasma triacylglycerol, cholesterol and β-hydroxybutyrate were also significantly increased (p<0.05). One-week oral administration of an aqueous extract of the seeds of
C. ensiformis significantly reduced (p<0.05) hyperlipidaemia and hyperketonaemia in the diabetic rats. These results suggest that
C. ensiformis seeds possess an antidiabetic principle and can be useful for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
