NTIDIABETIC EFFECTS OF Newboldia laevis (P. Beauv) METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT ON ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

Diabetis mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease that affects both man and animals. The high prevalence rate of DM and its attendant high cost on healthcare have necessitated search jor cheaper, effective and readily available alternatives in plants. One of such plants used in Nigeria and other African countries is Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv) (NLE). This work examines the effects of Newbouldia laevis on alloxan- induced diabetes in albino rats. The result showed that NLE has dose- and time-dependent antidiabetic effect. The lowest dose (62.5 mg/kg) reduced the fasting blood sugar (FBS) by 0, 0.91, 7.04, and 40.1% On days 0, 7, 14 and 21 respectively, while the highest dose (250 mg/kg) reduced the FBS by 0, 13.23, 21.37, and 67.46 % on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 respectively, Meanwhile, glibenclamide reduced the FBS by 0, 37.87, 36.10 and 70.20 % respectively within the same period. The untreated group (10 ml/kg distilled water) showed an increase in the FBS by 0, 1.7, 7.1 and 21.99% on days 0, 7, 14 and 21 respectively. The body weight of the rats showed a decrease between 3.1- 8.9 % in the untreated group ofrats. NLE on the other hand showed a slight increase in body weight that ranges between 3.03-15.91% just like glibenclamide which showed an increase between 4.06-10.57 %. At the end of 21 days, there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference between the NLE and glibenclamide treated groups. This then shows that NLE has dose- and time —dependent antidiabetic effect which is likely similar to glibenclamide and its folkloric usage has pharmacological basis.