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Published:
Oct 17, 2008Keywords:
<i>Nauclea latifolia</i> Diabetes mellitus Hypoglycaemia Streptozotocin – induced diabetes.
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Hypoglycaemic activity of <i>Nauclea latifolia</i> sm. (rubiaceae) in experimental animals.
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.
Keywords: Nauclea latifolia; Diabetes mellitus; Hypoglycaemia; Streptozotocin – induced diabetes.
Afr. Jnl of Trad Comp Alt medicine Vol. 5 (2) 2008: pp. 201-208
