Phytochemical and Micronutrient Composition of Anacardium Occidentale Linn (cashew) stem-bark hydroethanolic extract and its effect on the fasting blood glucose levels and body weight of diabetic wistar rats

Anacardium occidentale L. stem-bark extract is used in some parts of Nigeria to treat diabetes. This study is aimed at validating the anti-diabetic property of these plants, its effect on body weight and also to screen for the presence of any bioactive component of the plant that may be responsible for any anti-diabetic effect. Twenty-four presumably healthy wistar rats of average weight 150g were randomly distributed into four groups (A, B, C and D) of 6 rats each. A single intraperitoneal dose of 65mg/kgbwt of streptozotocin was used to induce experimental diabetes in rats in groups B, C and D while group A was left non-diabetic. Groups A and B served as the negative and positive control groups respectively and received 500mg/kgbwt of Anacardium occidentale stem-bark extract and group D received 5IU of insulin. Groups A, C and D showed significant decrease in fasting blood sugar (p<.05) while in group B (positive control) the drop in fasting blood sugar for statistically insignificant. Groups A, C and D showed significant weight gain (p<.05) while Group B showed a significant weight loss (p<.05). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phenols, oxalate and phytate while the micronutrient composition included some vitamins ( A, B, B2, B3 and C) and some minerals (Na, K, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Cu and Se). Proximate composition revealed the presence of protein, carbohydrate, fat and fibre.