Assessment of the anti-diabetic potential of ethanol leaf extract of Crateva adansonii in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders causing disturbance in the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrate and protein. Synthetic drugs used in the treatment of diabetes are known to have adverse effects. Thus the aim of this research work was to evaluate the anti-diabetic of ethanol leaf extract of Crateva adansonii in diabetic rats. Freshly harvested leaf of Crateva adansonii was dried and subsequently processed into extract. Twenty five (25) adult male wistar rats were divided into five groups of five rats each. Group I was the Normal control (NC), Group II was diabetic untreated rats, Group III and IV were diabetic rats treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg of C. adansonii respectively. Intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin caused a significant (P<0.05) increase in blood sugar level. However, oral administration of 200 and 400 mg/kg of extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced blood sugar level compared to the level reported for the diabetic untreated Group II rats though higher than that reported for the normal control. In conclusion, it can be deduced from this study that ethanol leaf extract of C. adansonii wield anti-diabetic potential which could be enhanced with higher doses of the aforementioned extract.