Phytochemical, Proximate and in-vivo hypoglycemic Potential of Synsepalum dulcificum for Management of Diabetes mellitus in Nigeria

Abstract Synsepalum dulcificum, a potent natural sweetener, is notably used in the traditional treatment of Diabetes mellitus in Nigeria though scientific explanation for its use is not well known. In this study, the phytochemical, proximate and hypoglycemic potential of the leaf and stem extracts (ethanol and aqueous) of S. dulcificum were investigated. The phytochemical and proximate analysis were carried out using a standard protocol. In-vivo assay protocols on alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats was followed in determining the hypoglycemic potentials of the extracts (concentrations: 100 mg/Kg, 200 mg/Kg, 400 mg/Kg), using glibenclamide as a standard drug. The aqueous leaf extract gave a higher yield (19.67%) compared to ethanolic extract (17.15%). Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, terpenoids, tannins, phenols, steroids, cardiac glycosides and alkaloids in varying degrees in the plant’s parts. Proximate analysis showed higher lipid (23.30%) and protein (12.94%) in leaves and higher fibre content in stems (30.00%). The aqueous leaf extract at a high dose (400 mg/kg) gave the best glucose lowering effect (66.67 mg/dL) compared to the medium dose (78.33 mg/dL) and the standard drug (70.00 mg/dL). The albino rats were unable to survive at the lower dose (100 mg/kg) of all the extracts. The observed hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous leaf extract may be linked to significant tannins, flavonoids and saponins in the extract, as these phytochemicals have been reported to exhibit blood sugar lowering potentials. The results from this study confirmed that the leaf aqueous extract as a potential anti-diabetic agent and justified the folkloric use of Synsepalum dulcificum in the management of diabetes mellitus in Nigeria.