 Corresponding author: Funmilola Comfort Oladele Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. Copyright © 2021 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0. Effect of Parkia biglobosa seed on lipid profile of dexamethasone-treated pregnant rats Funmilola Comfort Oladele 1, * , Bashirat Motunrayo Oluokun 2 and Omotola Blessing Adam 2 1 Department of Medical Biochemistry, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. 2 Department of Science Laboratory Technology, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences, 2021, 08(03), 030–039 Publication history: Received on 01 November 2021; revised on 23 December 2021; accepted on 25 December 2021 Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjbphs.2021.8.3.0127 Abstract This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of Parkia biglobosa seed on dexamethasone-treated pregnant rats. Locust bean seeds were purchased from an open market in Ado Ekiti, Nigeria. It was processed and ground into powder which was subsequently used in formulating feed for experimental animals. Fifteen female pregnant rats were divided in three groups of five each. Animals in group A were exposed to standard animal feed only. This served as the control group. Those in group B were exposed to animal feed mixed with locust beans + 0.3 mg/kg body weight of dexamethasone, while those in group C were exposed to animal feed mixed with locust beans. At the end of eight days treatment, animals were sacrificed and blood sample was collected into EDTA bottles and centrifuged. Plasma was separated and used for the determination of glucose and lipid profile. Exposure of animals to dexamethasone was observed to significantly (p<0.05) increased the concentration of plasma glucose concentration when compared with the control as well as animals treated with P. biglobosa only. Animals treated with dexamethasone along with P. biglobosa were observed to have higher concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) when compared with those in animals in the control group as well as those treated with P. biglobosa only. Observations from this study revealed that dexamethasone adversely perturbed and unhinged plasma glucose and lipid profile in female pregnant rats while P. biglobosa-formulated diet was observed to be a potent hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic agent. Keywords: Dexamethasone; Glucose; Lipid Profile; Parkia biglobosa 1. Introduction Parkia biglobosa (locust bean) has long been widely recognized as an important indigenous multipurpose fruit tree whose uses include food, medicine, manure, tannin, shade, wind breaks, bee food, stabilization of degraded environment, livestock feed, fuel, fibre, fish poison and several other domestic uses [1]. Parkia biglobosa has many medicinal uses in Africa [2]. It provides an ingredient that is used in treating leprosy and hypertension [3]. It has been identified as one of the candidates with promising therapeutic potential in the prevention, treatment, and management of a number of metabolic diseases including diabetes mellitus [4]. According to Tokoudagba et al. [5], P. biglobosa leaf extracts induce redox-sensitive endothelium-dependent relaxations in porcine coronary artery rings thereby acting as an antihypertensive agent. The leaves are used in lotions for sore eyes, burns, haemorrhoids and toothache [2]. A decoction of the leaves, bark and roots are used in treating leprosy, eye sores, toothache, fever, hypertension, wounds and ulcers [6]. Airaodion et al. [7], has reported that P. biglobosa seed possesses hepatoprotective ability. In another study, Airaodion and Ogbuagu [8] observed that P. biglobosa seed ameliorated hypertension.