Purpose This paper aims to investigate the effect of Citrus maxima juice on fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, liver enzyme and body weight of alloxan-induced diabetic adult wistar rats. Design/methodology/approach The fruits were thoroughly washed with potable water. They were peeled; the epicarp and seeds were removed. Fruit juice was extracted from the pulp. Animal experiment was carried out using 21 adult male wistar rats weighing about 110-130 g. The rats were categorized into three groups (A-C), with each group consisting of seven rats of similar body weights. Diabetes was induced using alloxan. Rats in Groups A and B were administered 300 mg and 600 mg of C. maxima fruit juice/kg body weight/day, respectively, for 14 days, while Group C rats acted as control and received placebo. Biochemical analysis was performed using standard procedures. Data were analyzed using SPSS, version 21. Findings Blood glucose of rats in the treated groups decreased significantly (p < 0.05) from 454.7 and 569.7 mg/dl to 149.3 and 297.3 mg/dl, respectively, while the control increased from 257.0 to 46.57 mg/dl. Total cholesterol and triglyceride levels of Group B rats reduced significantly (p < 0.05), while the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level increased (p < 0.05). Body weight of rats in the treated groups increased significantly (p < 0.05) by 30.1 and 20.2 per cent in Groups A and B, respectively, compared to the control group, which reduced by 0.21 per cent. There was no significant effect on markers of liver damage. Practical implications The rate at which diabetes and other non-communicable diseases increase recently calls for affordable and sustainable management. Social implications Diabetes is one of the major health and development challenges of the 21st century, its complications are disabling and life threatening. Originality/value The hypoglycemic and hypocholesterolemic properties demonstrated by C. maxima fruit juice suggest its potential contribution in reducing/stabilizing blood glucose level and managing complications of diabetes.