Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Abuja, Nigeria; Department of Biochemistry, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria
Ode, O.J., Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Abuja, Nigeria; Nwaehujor, C.O., Department of Biochemistry, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria; Nwinyi, C.F., Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Abuja, Nigeria
Hypoglycemic and anti-oxidant activities of the methanol leaf extract of Berlinia grandiflora were studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats to scientifically prove its folkloric use. Osmotic fragility test and phytochemical analysis of the extract were investigated. Hyperglycemia was induced in rats by injection of 50 mg kg-1 (i.p.) of freshly prepared streptozotocin. Three doses of the extract (50,100 and 250 mg kg-1) per os were used with glibenclamide (2 mg kg-1) as reference drug and a negative control. Fasting blood glucose was monitored at 1, 3 and 6 h. Anti-oxidant activity was studied using the DPPH and FRAP spectrophotometric assays. Ascorbic acid was used as standard. Acute toxicity studies revealed the extract was safe at 500 mg kg-1. Treatment of streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemic rats using the crude extract of B. grandiflora reduced the fasting blood glucose levels significantly (p<0.01) in a dose dependent manner. DPPH and FRAP results were comparable to Ascorbic acid. The crude extract did not disrupt eiythrocyte cell membranes. Phytochemical analysis revealed presence of tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and glycosides. This suggests that B. grandiflora possesses anti-diabetic, anti-oxidant and membrane stabilizing activities. The extract could be a potential source of novel anti-diabetic and anti-oxidant agents.
1,1 diphenyl 2 picrylhydrazyl; alkaloid derivative; antidiabetic agent; antioxidant; ascorbic acid; Berlinia grandiflora extract; flavonoid; glibenclamide; methanol; plant extract; plant glycoside; tannin derivative; unclassified drug; acute toxicity; animal cell; animal experiment; animal model; antidiabetic activity; antioxidant activity; article; Berlinia grandiflora; blood glucose monitoring; controlled study; diabetes mellitus; diet restriction; dose response; drug isolation; drug safety; drug screening; erythrocyte membrane; fluorescence recovery after photobleaching; hyperglycemia; legume; male; nonhuman; osmotic fragility; plant leaf; rat; streptozocin diabetes; traditional medicine