Anti diabetic activity of the stem bark extract and fractions of Faidherbia albida Del. (Mimosaceae) in murine model

Background: In our continued search for potent anti-diabetic compound(s) from plants and natural sources, we tested crude extract and fractions of the stem bark of Faidherbia albida a plant traditional used in the management of diabetes mellitus in Northern Nigeria, on alloxan induced diabetic rats to obtain the most active fraction. Space and Duration of Study: The study was conducted between November 2016-March 2017 using laboratories of Departments of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Department of Pharmacology of Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Methodology: Twenty five rats weighing between 150-200g were made diabetic with alloxan injected peritonialy. They were divided into five groups of five rats each. A sixth group of five normal fats were used for the study. They were treated with F.albida crude extract and fractions as follows; Group 1-crude extract 200mg/kg, Group 2ethylacetate fraction 50mg/kg, Group 3Butanol fraction 50mg/kg, Group 4Glibenclamide 5mg/ kg, Group 5untreated diabetic rats, Group 6Normal rats. Treatment continued for 28 days with blood glucose and weight check weekly. Animals were sacrificed and blood samples collected for biochemical parameters. Results: The blood glucose level of the group treated with ethylacetate was lowered to 142mg/dl which compares favourably with the group treated with glibenclamide (112mg/dl) as opposed to the diabetic untreated group (380mg/dl) at the end of four weeks of treatment. Ethylacetate fraction treated rats showed the least percentage weight loss while there is a significant weight loss (= 0.05) in the diabetic rats Conclusion: Ethylacetate fraction of F.albida showed remarkable effect on blood glucose level and reduced the weight loss in diabetic rats and thus more promising to be further evaluated for bioactive substances.