Phytochemical screening and antidiabetic effect of aqueous extract of <i>Abrus precatorius</i> Linn (Fabaceae)

Abstract

In less than a quarter of a century, diabetes has become a public health problem in developing countries. The purpose of this study is to valorize Abrus precatorius (Fabaceae), a medicinal plant of the native pharmacopoeia of Côte d'Ivoire that may have antidiabetic properties. Thus, the particular objectives of this study are to investigate the chemical composition and in vivo antidiabetic effect in rats of the aqueous extract of Abrus precatorius’s leaves (ETAAP). The aqueous extract of leaves of Abrus precatorius (ETAAP) was obtained by the traditional method (decoction) and the phytochemical analysis based on color reactions and/ or precipitation were done. The antidiabetic effect was studied by evaluating its hypoglycemic effect in normal rats and its antihyperglycemic effect in rats previously made hyperglycemic by oral administration of glucose at 30%. Phytochemical screening of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Abrus precatorius revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids (flavones), saponins, quinone compounds (coumarins), sterols and triterpenes and reducing compounds. The results of diabetes study showed that the extract causes a hypoglycemic dose dependent effect in normal rats after 6 hours. The experimental effective dose (ETAAP 40 mg / ml) reduced increasingly hyperglycemia every 30 minutes for 2 hours. These results show that Abrus precatorius (ETAAP) could be a good alternative in the treatment of diabetes

Keywords: Abrus precatorius L.; diabetes; hypoglycemia