Effect of crude extract and fractions from Vitex megapotamica leaves on hyperglycemia in alloxan-diabetic rats

The effect of the crude extract, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions from Vitex megapotamica (Spreng) Moldenke on glycemia was investigated in diabetic rats. Oral administration of crude extract significantly reduced serum glucose levels in both normal and diabetic animals. In normal rats, serum glucose lowering was observed with 400 and 800 mg/kg at 2 and 2-3h, respectively after oral crude extract treatment. Nevertheless, the hypoglycemic effect of Vitex megapotamica in diabetic rats was evident at 1 and 2h and from 1 to 3h after treatment with 400 and 800 mg/kg, respectively. The ethyl acetate as well as n-butanol fractions were able to diminish glycemia in diabetic animals. The ethyl acetate fraction (400 and 800 mg/kg) produced the maximum hypoglycemic effect (28 and 20%, respectively) in diabetic rats and the same dose of the n-butanol fraction reduced the hyperglycemia only by 11% at 1h after treatment. Additionally, in hyperglycemic normal rats neither crude extract nor ethyl acetate fraction modified the glucose tolerance and the known tolbutamide effect on insulin release was clearly observed in this group. Thus, this study shows that Vitex megapotamica has an anti-hyperglycemic action, is able to ameliorate the diabetic state and, probably, is a source of hypoglycemic compounds.