Hypoglycaemic Activity of Nauclea Latifolia Sm. (Rubiaceae) in Experimental Animals |
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Authors: | Abubakar Gidado Danladi A Ameh Sunday E Atawodi and Sani Ibrahim |
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Institution: | aDepartment of Biochemistry, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria;bDepartment of Biochemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria |
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Abstract: | Aqueous, ethanolic and hexane extracts of the leaves of Nauclea latifolia (Rubiaceae) were assessed for their fasting blood glucose lowering effect in normoglycaemic and streptozotocin - diabetic rats. Wistar strain albino rats were given different doses of the extracts after 18 hrs fast and their blood glucose measured at 0,1,2,4 and 6 hours after treatment. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts significantly lowered the fasting blood glucose levels of the STZ-diabetic rats in a dose-dependent manner. The highest dose administered (400mg/kg) lowered the fasting blood glucose of the diabetic rats by 31.7% (aqueous) and 36.1% (ethanolic) extracts. The aqueous extract did not significantly lower the glucose levels of normoglycaemic rats (maximum 6.6%), nor was any significant decrease seen in the rats administered with the hexane (maximum of 4.0% for normoglycaemic and 2.4% for diabetics) extract. The hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic potentials of the aqueous and ethanolic extracts were comparable to that of glibenclamide (1mg/kg).These results further support the traditional use of the plant in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. |
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Keywords: | Nauclea latifolia Diabetes mellitus Hypoglycaemia Streptozotocin - induced diabetes |
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