Antioxidative and anti-hyperglycaemic effect of <i>Caralluma Darzielii</i> in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus disease in all its form imposes high human, social and economic costs on countries at all income levels. Plants were used widely as medicinal sources in most developing countries as a common remedy for the maintenance of good health.

Aim: The study investigated the effect of Caralluma Darzielii plant extract on hyperglycaemia and lipid peroxidation in an alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Methods: The rats were fed on commercial diet and grouped in to 4. DT as group1, diabetic treated with plant extract, PC as group 2 diabetic positive controls on normal diet, NC as group 3 non diabetic on normal diet and CT as group 4 diabetic treated with chlorpropamide. A 180mg per Kg body weight of alloxan was injected intra-peritoneally which successfully induced the diabetic state. A one week assessments using fasting blood glucose was embarked to ascertain the sustenance and severity of diabetes. The plant extract was then administered to the diabetic induced rats at 100mg/Kg body for four weeks after which a serum glucose level was assessed at weakly intervals. Malondialdehyde was also measured for anti-oxidative effect.

Results: The results indicated that the extracts possess significant hypoglycemic effect with 4.9 ±0.2 vs. 16.3±0.2 mmol/l on the DT group versus PC group respectively (p<0.05). A raised malondialdehyde was also observed among the PC with 23.2±3.5 as against 12.5±0.5 mmol/L DT group, (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This indicated that Caralluma Darzielii plant extract has a potential hypoglycemic and antioxidative property. Further evaluation of active ingredients and chronic complication are therefore recommended.