Hypoglycemic effect of aqueous leaf extract of Senna singueana on alloxan-induced diabetic wistar rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder with significant morbidity, mortality, and high cost of care. Rising cost of treatment and incidence of the disease coupled with poor access to health facilities have compelled people to resort to use of plant products as sources of remedy. One of such plant that is been used as remedy for diabetes is Senna singueana. Aim: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of aqueous leaf extract of Senna singueana on blood glucose level. Materials and Methods: Sixteen adult wistar rats weighing 80–120g randomly divided in to 4 groups (A–D) of four rats each were used for the study. Groups A and B served as normal and diabetic controls respectively. Diabetes was induced with 150 mg/Kg body weight (b.w) in groups B, C, and D intraperitoneally. Groups A and B received normal saline at 5 mL/Kg b.w while groups C and D were treated with 250 mg/Kg b.w of aqueous leaf extract of Senna singuea and 5 mg/Kg b.w of glibenclamide daily for 5 days, respectively. Blood glucose concentration was measured before induction of diabetes, 48 hours after induction but before treatment with extract, and 5 days after daily administration of the extract. Data were analyzed using International business machine statistical package for social science version 23.0 (IBM, Armonk, New York, USA). One-way ANOVA was used to compare mean blood glucose level between groups and Bonferroni post hoc test was used where there was statistical significance. P value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: There was no significant difference in baseline blood glucose levels between the four groups (P = 0.130). Rats in groups B, C, and D had statistically significant higher blood glucose levels than group A 48 hours after treatment of groups B, C, and D with alloxan (P = 0.001). The extract treated group (C) had statistically significant reduction in blood glucose level after 5 days of oral administration of the extract (0.001). Similarly, the extract treated group (C) had statistically significant lower blood glucose level at the end of 5 day treatment compared with the diabetic control group (B) (P = 0.001). There was also significant reduction in blood glucose in the glibenclamide treated group (D) after 5 day treatment with the drug compared to diabetic control group (B) (P = 0.005). However, there was no significant difference in blood glucose level between the extract treated group (C) and glibenclamide treated group (D) after 5 day treatment with extract and glibenclamide respectively (P = 0.999). Conclusion: Aqueous leaf extract of Senna singueana significantly reduced blood glucose level after 5 day daily oral treatment at 250mg/Kg b.w.