Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Activities of Methanolic Extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Aims: This study is to provide scientific basis for the folkloric use of Sphenocentrum jollyannum roots in the management and/control of Diabetes mellitus. The effects of the extract on blood glucose level and serum lipid profile in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was investigated. The efficacy was also compared with that of glibenclamide, a known antidiabetic drug.

Study Design: Experimental Study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria and Department of Chemical Pathology, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria, between November, 2010 and April, 2012.

Methodology: Twenty four adult Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (A, B C and D) of six rats each and used for this research. Diabetes mellitus was induced in groups B, C and D by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (80mg/kg body weight) dissolved in 0.1 M citrate buffer. Group A, the control rats were intraperitoneally injected with an equivalent volume of citrate buffer. Group B diabetic rats were untreated while groups C and D received Methanolic extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum (MESJ) (200mg/kg) and glibenclamide (0.5mg/kg) once daily for two weeks respectively.

Results: The result showed a significant (P < 0.05) fall in blood glucose and serum lipid levels with MESJ and glibenclamide administration. A significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the raise of lipids in serum and improvement in the lipid levels to an almost normal condition was also observed.

Conclusion: Sphenocentrum jollyanum roots possess hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects on diabetic rats lending credence to its use in the traditional management and/or control of Diabetes mellitus.