Strycnos spinosa decreases the blood glucose and lipid levels of diabetic albino rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic levels with an estimate of 451 million cases worldwide in 2017. Diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin. Strychnos spinosa has been used in folk medicine as a remedy for various diseases including diabetes but the exact mechanism of action is still unknown. The present study aimed to evaluate the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effects of the methanolic extract of the Strychnos spinosa leaves on alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Diabetes mellitus was experimentally induced in rats by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate at a dose of 150 mg/kg. The pure extract of S. spinosa leaf was given orally once daily for 2 weeks in three graded doses of 150, 300 and 500 mg/kg and glibenclamide was used to treat the positive control group. Following treatments, the glucose level and lipid profile assay were carried out using colorimetric methods. The extracts significantly reduced (p<0.05) the fasting blood glucose, TAG and cholesterol levels of the diabetic and non-diabetic rats. Treatment with the extract also decreased mortalities of the diabetic rats. These findings provides evidence to the increased use of the plant in folk medicine.