Effects of butanol fraction of Ziziphus mucronata root ethanol extract on glucose homeostasis,serum insulin and other diabetes-related parameters in a murine model for type 2 diabetes

Context: Ziziphus mucronata Willd (Rhamnaceae) is currently used in Nigerian traditional treatment of diabetes mellitus. However, detailed information on the antidiabetic potential of the plant parts is presently unknown.

Objectives: The present study investigated the antidiabetic effects of the butanol fraction of Z. mucronata root (ZMBF) in a type 2 diabetes (T2D) model of rats.

Materials and methods: T2D was induced in rats by feeding a 10% fructose solution ad libitum for two weeks followed by an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40?mg/kg bw) and the animals were orally treated with ZMBF 150 or 300?mg/kg bw for five days a week for four weeks. Food and fluid intake, body weight changes and blood glucose levels were monitored during the experiment while other blood and organ specific diabetes-associated parameters were measured at the end of the experiment.

Results: After four-week treatment, significantly (p?p?>?0.05) affected by the treatment of ZMBF.

Conclusion: Results of this study suggest that ZMBF treatment, at 300?mg/kg bw, possess antidiabetic activity, but could not ameliorate some diabetes-related parameters in type 2 diabetic rats.