Phytochemical constituents, antidiabetic and ameliorative effects of <i>Polyalthia longifiola</i> leaf extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the commonest global diseases affecting both sexes and phytomedicine is currently among the foremost replacements for orthodox drug; Polyalthia longifiola is among the locally used herbal remedies for various ailments. The onus of this research was to investigate the phytochemical constituents and potential of P. longifiola aqueous leaf extract against alterations in liver and kidney functions in rats injected with alloxan. Phytochemical evaluation of the aqueous plant leaf extract indicated that terpenes, non-reducing sugar, flavonoid, resin, phenol, gums and mucilage were present. The contents of total flavonoids and phenol in the plant leaf are 55.56 μg catechin equivalent/g and 1.62 g/ 100g DW, respectively. The plant extract administered reduced the glucose concentration of the diabeticinduced animals in a dose dependent manner. This reducing potential of glucose by the plant is as a consequence of the availability of these phytochemicals in the extract of the plant. Alterations in liver function biomarkers (serum ALP, ALT, AST, GGT, TB and DB) caused by the hyperglycemic state of the test animals were reversed as the extract was given to the diabetic rats. Kidney function makers such as creatinine, urea and uric acid were also reduced upon administration of hypoglycemic drug and aqueous plant extract and improved as time progressed. Thus P. longifiola (mast tree) aqueous leaf extract has ameliorative effects on liver and kidney functions of rats induced with diabetes and could be used in management of type 2 diabetes even at a concentration of 100 mg/kg bwt.

Keywords:  Polyalthia longifiola, hypoglycermic agent, hepato-renal toxicity, amelioration