Phytochemical constituents and hyperglycemic effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of <i>Murraya koenigii</i> in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Murraya koenigii is one out of many plants used locally for the treatment of diabetes. This work was carried out to determine the phytochemical constituents in aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Murraya koenigii and its hypoglycemic effects. The experimental animals after acclimatization were randomly selected into 5groups of rats each and were induced with 150mg/kg of alloxan per body weight. The rats were treated with aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts of Murraya koenigii at 500mg/kg daily for 5 weeks. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of Murraya koenigii confirms the presence of alkaloids, flavonoid, tannin, phenol and cardiac glycoside compound in both aqueous and ethanolic extracts. The study showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the blood glucose levels of rats treats with both extracts when compared with alloxan not treated, although ethanolic extract was more effective when compared with non-induced untreated group. This suggests that the aqueous and ethanolic life extract of Murraya koenigii has some hypoglycemic properties and may be safe for use.

Keywords: phytochemical, Murraya koenigii, hypoglycemic and diabetes