Authors : A.A. Odutuga, J.O. Dairo, J.B. Minari and F.A. Bamisaye
Abstract: The present study was undertaken to investigate the potential hypoglycemic effect of aqueous and methanolic extracts of M. lucida stem bark in alloxan-induced hyperglycemia in rats. The study comprises three groups of diabetic rats administered 0.240 mg (aqueous extract) and 240 mg (methanolic extract) kg-1 body weight and a fourth group given 10 mL kg-1 body weight distilled water for 7 days. Body weight, fasting blood glucose as well as activities of some selected serum and liver enzymes were monitored before commencement of treatment and at the end of the treatment period. At the end of the 7 day treatment, fasting blood glucose of the animals were significantly (p<0.05) reduced by 73.5 and 39.0% of their initial values in diabetic group administered aqueous and methanolic extract, respectively. As it were before treatment, body weight was further reduced in the diabetic animal groups compared to normal rat group. Serum Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) and liver aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) activities were not significantly (p>0.05) altered from their initial values after the 7 day treatment period. Serum AST and liver ALP were significantly (p<0.05) lowered in diabetic rats treated with aqueous and methanolic extracts compared to their initial values. Serum and liver Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was significantly (serum)/non-significantly (liver) increased across the groups except for a significant decrease observed in liver ALT activity in diabetic rats administered the methanolic extract.
A.A. Odutuga, J.O. Dairo, J.B. Minari and F.A. Bamisaye, 2010. Anti-Diabetic Effect of Morinda lucida Stem Bark Extracts on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats. Research Journal of Pharmacology, 4: 78-82.