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Hypoglycaemic activity of <i>Telfairia occidentalis</i> in rats


Olorunfemi A Eseyin
Arnold C Igboasoiyi
Emmanuel Oforah
Nkaima Nkop
Akeem Agboke

Abstract

The hypoglycaemic activity of the ethanolic extract of leaf of Telfairia occidentalis was evaluated in normoglycaemic and alloxan–induced diabetic rats. This activity was compared with that of glibenclamide and that of a mixture of glibenclamide and extract. Blood glucose was measured by a glucometer. The extract produced significant reduction in blood glucose level at 2 hrs in normoglycaemic rats, and at 2 and 4hrs in diabetic rats after a single oral dose of 250mg/kg. The reduction in blood glucose level produced by the sub-acute administration of extract on the 5th, 10th and 15th day were comparable to that of glibenclamide.These results suggest that the leaves of Telfairia occidentalis possess hypoglycemic activity in normoglycemic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats and this could be beneficial in the ethnotherapy of diabetes mellitus.


Key words: Telfairia occidentalis; Glibenclamide; Hypoglycaemic activity; Alloxan-induced diabetes.
Journal of Pharmacy and Bioresources Vol. 2 (1) 2005: 36-42

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