Article Sidebar
Keywords:
Article Details
Submission of a manuscript to this journal is a representation that the manuscript has not been published previously and is not under consideration for publication elsewhere.
All authors named in each manuscript would be required to sign a form (to be supplied by the Editor) so that they may retain their copyright in the article but to assign to us (the Publishers) and its licensees in perpetuity, in all forms, formats and media (whether known or created in the future) to (i) publish, reproduce, distribute, display and store the contribution, (ii) translate the contribution into other languages, create adaptations, reprints, include within collections and create summaries, extracts and/or abstracts of the contribution, (iii) create any other derivative works(s) based on the contribution, (iv) to exploit all subsidiary rights in the contribution, (v) the inclusion of electronic links from the contribution to third party material where-ever it may be located, and (vi) license any thrid party to do any or all of the above.
Main Article Content
Effect of Ethanol Leaf Extract of Newboulda Laevis on Blood Glucose Levels of Diabetic Rats
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate anti-diabetic effect of the ethanol leaf extract of Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Methods: Alloxan (150 mg/kg) was administered to wistar albino rats via the intraperitoneal route. The diabetic rats were then placed in 5 groups, following stabilization of hyperglycemia. The first group was untreated, the next three groups received, each day, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the ethanol extract Newbouldia laevis and the fifth group received a reference standard, glibenclamide (5 mg/kg). Treatment was via the oral route for 14 days and fasting blood sugar level was monitored over this period. Acute toxicity (oral and intraperitoneal) studies on the extract was carried out, as well as phytochemical screening of the extract.
Results: All doses of the extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.0001, p <0.05, respectively) lowered fasting blood glucose level, notably at the 4th, 8th and 14th day. Glibenclamide (5 mg /kg) also significantly lowered fasting blood glucose (p < 0.0001). The results on acute toxicity revealed that for the oral and intraperitoneal route, mortality was at 8 and 1 g/kg, respectively while LD50 was 6 g/kg, indicating the high safety status of the plant. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids.
Conclusion: This study supports the use of Newboulda laevis in traditional medicine as well as highlights the need to further explore the potentials of the plant extract as a antihyperglycemic agent.
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, Newbouldia laevis, Antidiabetic, Hypoglycemia, Blood glucose
