European Journal of Medicinal Plants

Aims: To investigate the anti-diabetic effect of Anthocleista vogelii root ethanolic extract (EE) and fractions (ethyl acetate [EF], dichloromethane [DF] and n-hexane [HF] fractions) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic albino rats.

Study Design: The antidiabetic effect of A. vogelii root extracts was investigated in Albino rats by measuring some biochemical parameters including fasting blood glucose levels and also by examining the histology of the pancreas, liver and kidney.

Place and Duration of Study: Medicinal Plants Section, Bioresources Development Centre, Ogbomoso and Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria between January and April, 2015.

Methodology: The control group was administered 10 ml/kg distilled water, the standard drug group was administered 5 mg/kg glibenclamide, the test groups were administered 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg ethanolic extract and 200 mg/kg of each of the fractions (EF, DF and HF) orally to STZ-induced (60 mg/kg; interperitoneal) diabetic rats. Fasting blood glucose levels (FBGL), biochemical parameters, changes in body weight, food intake, water intake and the histology of the pancreas, liver and kidney of diabetic rats were examined.

Results: The result of the study showed that EF exerted a more significant (P<0.05) reduction in FBGL more than the other fractions when compared with the control. The EE and fractions significantly (P<0.05) decreased food intake, water intake, serum cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and creatinine concentrations and increased high density lipoprotein levels of diabetic treated rats when compared with the control. The extracts also caused the regeneration of cells of the pancreas, kidney and liver of diabetic treated rats.

Conclusion: The study concluded that A. vogelii ethanolic root extract and fractions exerted potent anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipideamic activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats and thus, the plant may be used for the treatment and management of diabetes.