ABSTRACT 

The plants were dried and their proxate

composition, dietary fibre, antinutrient and mineral contents were determined. (I

Sy1re.s'ic'r had the highest crude protein content of 39.69 ±0.53% while B. cur/cea had

the highest carbohydrate content of 77. I 8+ 0.27%. The plant products had total dietary

fibre contents, which ranged between I 1 .60+ 0.02% and I I .94±0. 02%. ],he saponin

contents ranged between 0.85±0.09 and 4.03±0.26mg/mi. Blood glucose serum

potassium, sodium and phosphorous were deternilned. Serum lipids (Cholesterol, High

Density Lipoprotein, Low Density Lipoproteins & Triglycerides) as well as weight

measurements were also conducted. Diabetic animaL without plant products in their

diet had elevated blood glucose and serum sodium levels hut low levels of phosphorus

(with values of 142. 16± 9.8 I ing / cIL 230.03 -, l.07 mg/cu and I .93 ± 0.06 mg/dl

respectively). B. eoriccu had better hypoglycemic activity (mean values 78.61±2.45 it.

86.21+ 7.53 lug/cl1) than 0. sylvestre (mean values 90.52±7.80 to 107. 11±5.79 mg/dl

and ( '. o/llornLv (nicui values 82.68±4.93 to I 09.87+3 .46iiigid1 ). ( . lat//olluin had p

elleci (with mean values ot 100,48±4.83 to 124.32±7.54nig./d

B. Co!'' ci iidueed hetici' electrolyte balance (with serum socliuni levels of valu

133 .1( ) 2.o°) to I 5( ).6 I 2.49mg/cll ) than the other pluit products studied while (1

•s:.'/'t'.'1o'i' and B. oiit.'c, had good effects on serum potassium with mean values of'

4.34+0. 19 to 4.83±I$nig/dl and 3.83±0.04 to 4.971-0.22 respectively. All the plant

piv'ducts had good eflëcts in maintaining serum phosphorous within the normal range

(2.7-4.5mg/di). (J. .viIre.s1ie decreased serum cholesterol and triglycerides but

incresL'd serum high density lipoproteiii (I 69.57±2.45 t0208.45±0.49

nig/dL3 16±1:75 to !25.3$±2.33mgldl and 48.93±1.46 to 86.10±1.92 mg/dl

respect ly) more thnn IL curiceu (I 94.92±0.28 to2 I (j.37-f-0. I 8mg Id! respectively)

atid ( . 'iorIu.v (1 -93fft25 to 219.66±0. I $iiu./dl 98.43±2.82 to 187.44±4.00 ing/dl

and 251/±0. 13 to 59.23±0. I 7ing/dl respectively). Weights of experimental animals

decreased with increase in concentration of each 1)lant product.