Antidiabetic Effect Of <i>Sarcocephalus latifolus </i> Aqueous Root Extract In Experimental Rat Model

Abstract

Investigations were carried out to evaluate the blood sugar lowering activity of the aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolus roots (SLA) in normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. The extract (250 mg/kg body weght po) caused 76 % reducton inblood gucose wthn 6h in fasted diabetic rats. However, the extract at the same dose showed no effect in normorglycaemic rats. Acute toxicity studies of the extract in mice gave an oral LD50 value greater than 5000 mg/kg. Phytochemical tests revealed that SLA tested positive for alkaloids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, reducing sugars, carbohydrates, serols and glycosides. The results show that the aqueous root extract of S latifolus has blood glucose lowering efect, which is consistent with the use of the rootin folklore diabetes management.

Keywords: Sarcocephalus latifolus roots, Streptozotocin, Antidiabetic

Animal Research International Vol. 4 (2) 2007 pp. 698-701