Abstract:
Abstract
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized
by hyperglycemia due to an absolute or relative deficit in insulin production or action. A number
of plant species have been screened for their pharmacological efficacy against DM. C. africana
is one of traditional medicinal plants used to treat different health problems.
Objective: To assess in-vivo effect of hydromethanolic leaf extract of Cordia africana (Wanza,
???) on blood glucose level and serum electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl?, and Ca2+) in Streptozotocininduced diabetic mice and It抯 in-vitro ?-amylase inhibitory and antioxidant activity.
Methods: Experimental study was conducted on streptozotocin-induced diabetic male mice.
The mice were divided into 6 groups having 5 members each. These groups were negative
control (normal mice), positive control (diabetics treated with distilled water), standard control
(diabetics treated with Glibenclamide), and the rest three groups were diabetic mice treated with
different doses of leave extract. Their fasting blood sugar was measured on the 0th, 7th, and 14th
day of experiment. Serum electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl?, and Ca2+) had also been determined at the
14th day of the experiment. In vitro ?-Amylase inhibitory and anti-oxidant effect of extract had
also been assessed. The acute toxicity profile of the extract was evaluated in 5 randomly selected
female mice.
Results: This study revealed that hydromethanolic leaf extract of Cordia africana has a
significant blood glucose-lowering effect. At the 7th and 14th day of treatment, the mean blood
glucose levels of diabetic mice treated with 5mg Glibenclamide, 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg
extract was significantly reduced. Deranged serum electrolytes (Na+, K+, Cl?, and Ca2+) and
reduced body weight were significantly ameliorated at both doses of the extract as well as 5mg
Glibenclamide treated mice. Besides, good antioxidant and ? amylase inhibitory activity was
shown from the in vitro lab tests.
Conclusion: The result of the experiment showed that hydromethanolic leaf extract of Cordia
africana was remarkably effective in reducing blood sugar, and ameliorate deranged serum
electrolytes and reduced body weight in STZ-induced diabetic mice. It has also antioxidant as
well as ?-amylase inhibiting activity.
Keywords: a-amylase inhibitor, Antioxidant, Blood glucose, Cordia Africana, Serum
Electrolyte.