Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Activities of Extract of Entandrophragma Cylindricum (Sprague) Leaves in Male Wistar Rats

Background & Aims : Entandrophragma cylindricum ( EC) is a tree with a widespread presence in various West African countries. It has wide folkloric use as an anti-sickling, antimalarial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and is widely used traditionally in treating diabetes across West Africa. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of the methanolic leaf extract of Entandrophragma cylindricum ( EC) in rats. Materials and Methods : Induction of Diabetes mellitus was done by Streptozotocin (STZ) via intraperitoneal route injection. Animals were apportioned into five groups (n=5) for contrasting the activity of EC at three EC doses (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg p.o.) against the standard drug (Glibenclamide) and control groups. Rats having elevated glucose levels above 250 mg/dL were considered diabetic and used for the study. Normoglycemic test, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), STZ-Induced diabetes, in-vitro antioxidant properties of EC extract, and in vivo antioxidant property of the serum were assessed. Results : Phytochemistry revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, deoxy-sugars, and anthraquinones. The three doses of EC (150, 50, and 25 mg/kg) used in the study caused a significant decrease in blood glucose levels in the STZ-induced diabetic rat model. Also, EC (150, 50, and 25 mg/kg) produced a significant (p< 0.001) increase respectively in the body weight from day 0 to day 30 when compared with the untreated diabetic rat. Our results indicated that EC might be a potent free radical scavenger, as it scavenged the 2,2 -diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, hydroxyl radical, and NO radicals in vitro. EC also showed a significant anti-lipid peroxidative effect in vivo. Histologic analysis revealed the regenerative impact of EC on the β-cells of diabetic rats. Conclusion : Findings revealed that EC possess antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects.