Abstract:
Background: Currently diabetes mellitus is one of the largest global health emergencies. As the morbidity and mortality rate of diabetes is increasing worldwide, it is necessary to investigate medicinal plants for new antidiabetic drugs that can lead to effective and safe pharmacotherapy. Objective: To evaluate the antidiabetic and antidyslipidemic activities of 80% methanolic leaf and seed extracts of Calpurnia aurea (Ait.) Benth. (Fabaceae) in mice. Method: Blood glucose lowering activity of the three doses (100mg/kg, 200mg/kg and 400 mg/kg) of hydromethanolic leaf extract and three doses (2.75 mg/kg, 5.5 mg/kg and 11 mg/kg) of the hydromethanolic seed extract of Calpurnia aurea was studied in four animal models; normoglycemic mice, oral glucose loaded mice, single dose treated diabetic mice and repeated dose treated diabetic mice. Additionally, the effect of the extracts on body weight and serum lipid profile was studied in the repeated dose treated diabetic mice. Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) was used as a standard drug in all animal models. Blood glucose level was measured using a glucose meter; whereas serum lipid levels were measured using an automated chemistry analyzer. Data were analyzed using one way analysis of variance followed by Tuckey’s post hoc test. Result: Hydromethanolic extract of calpurnia aurea seeds showed blood glucose lowering activity in all animal models, and it improves body weight loss and diabetic dyslipidemia in diabetic animals. But, hydromethanolic extract of Calpurnia aurea leaves lack significant blood glucose lowering activity in all animal models, and it didn’t significantly improve the body weight loss and diabetic dyslipidemia of diabetic mice after 14 days of treatment. Conclusion: This study revealed that hydromethanolic extract of Calpurnia aurea seeds has a significant antidiabetic and antidyslipidemic activity justifying the traditional use of the plant for diabetes mellitus. But, it was found that the leaves of the plant lack significant antidiabetic and antidyslipidemic activities.
