Phytochemical composition and antidiabetic activity of ethanol root extract of Nauclea latifolia

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is affecting major population of developing countries causing deaths. Objectives: The ethanolic root extract of Nauclea latifolia use traditionally for the treatment of diabetes was evaluated for antidiabetic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats after a single dose (acute study) and prolonged treatment (chronic study). Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in rats using alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg). The diabetic rats were treated with the root extract (150 – 450 mg/kg). The blood glucose level (BGL) was measured by using a glucometer. Results: Treatment of alloxan diabetic rats with the root extract (150 – 450 mg/kg , p.o) caused a significant (P<0.05 0.001) reduction in fasting Blood Glucose levels (BGL) of the diabetic rats both in acute study and prolonged treatment (2 weeks) in a manner comparable to that of the reference drug, glibenclamide (10 mg/kg bw.p.o). Conclusion: This finding suggests that the root extract of N. latifolia posses antidiabetic effect on alloxan-induced diabetic rats which can be exploited in the management of diabetes.