The aim of the study was to evaluate comparatively the potential anti-diabetic activity of the methanol and n-hexane extracts of the stem bark of Anthocleista vogelii in normoglycemic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
The alloxan-induced diabetic rats were treated orally with 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of the methanol extract (ME) and n-hexane extract (HE); 0.2 mg/kg of glibenclamide (positive control for both extracts), 2 mL/kg of normal saline and 2 mL/kg of olive oil (negative controls for ME and HE respectively).The normoglycemic rats received 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of ME,0.2 mg/kg of glibenclamide and 2 mL/kg of normal saline.
The FBGL were monitored at 0,0.5,1,2,3,4,6 and 12 h for the two categories and the results were statistically analysed. The phytochemical analyses of ME and HE were also carried out by standard procedures. The extracts showed statistically significant (p < 0.05) anti-diabetic activity. The percentage reductions of blood glucose level after 12 h treatment with ME were 83.2% (400 mg/kg) and 79.5% (200 mg/kg) in alloxan-induced group and were higher compared to the n-hexane extract (HE); 56.5% (200 mg/kg),43.6% (400 mg/kg) and the glibenclamide 75.9% (0.2 mg/kg). In the normal rats 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of ME gave 43.8% and 58.9% respectively compared to glibenclamide (37.7%.)
Their phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, saponins, terpenoids. The methanol extract of the stem bark of A. vogelii has greater potential hypoglycemic effects compared to n-hexane extract