Phytochemical compositions, and hypoglycemic effect of methanol leaf extract of Telfairia Occidentalis in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Background: The use of medicinal plants for the treatment of diabetes is increasing due to several reasons such as safety, affordability and efficacy. In the present study, the phytochemical compositions and hypoglycemic effect of the methanol leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis (ML-TO) were investigated. Methods: Phytochemical screening was conducted using standard methods. Fifteen rats were divided into 5 groups (n=3). Diabetes was induced in rats allocated to groups A-D using alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg BW) and was treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg BW ML-TO, 5 mg/kg BW glibenclamide and 5 ml/kg BW normal saline respectively. All treatments were administered orally, once daily for 29 days. Results: The results revealed that the ML-TO contains phenols, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, glycosides while flavonoids and saponins were not detected. Quantitatively, total phenols (9570±13.24 µg/mg) was the most abundant phytochemicals identified while tannins (3000.56±23.45 µg/mg) and alkaloids (0.2378±0.013µg/mg) were also present in appreciable amount in ML-TO. The extract produced a significant (p <0.05) and dose-dependent hypoglycemic effect with maximum activities occurring at 400 mg/kg BW having suppressed the fasting blood glucose levels from 334±33.62 to 137±37.31 mg/dL while the rats treated with 200 mg/kg BW lowered blood glucose level from 386±171 to 174±108.55mg/dL. The standard antidiabetic drug (Glibenclamide) produced a comparable hypoglycemic effect and suppressed the FBS from 350±169.74 to125±76.35 mg/dL. Conclusion: ML-To had a significant hypoglycemic effect and was able to ameliorate the weight loss in the diabetic rats, hence it could serve as a source of potential hypoglycemic agent