Phytochemical Studies and Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of Zambian Cultivars of Piliostigma thonningii in Alloxan - Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: There is anecdotal evidence among some Zambian traditional medicine practitioners that Piliostigma thonningii possesses antidiabetic effects. This study assessed the in-vivo effects of ethanol extract plant in alloxaninduced diabetic wistar rats.Study design: A laboratory-based experimental involving 24 rats divided into 4 groups 6 and administered extract, glibenclamide placebo.Methods: Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection 150mg/kg alloxan monohydrate. The glucose lowering effect stem bark evaluated comparison to normal saline as negative control positive control. Standard methods for identification alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, glycosides, terpenoids anthraquinones were employed phytochemical analysis extract.Results: showed presence glycosides terpenoids. caused 55.3% (P=0.002) reduction blood animals over treatment period from initial 19.7±7.0 mmol/l 8.8±2.5 mmol/l, compared with which 68.3 % (P=0.001) levels 24.0±4.5 7.6±5.9 mmol/l.Conclusions: Stem significant rats. also demonstrated secondary metabolites could be responsible medicinal properties plant. Further studies are required purify identify active fractions anti-diabetic observed.