Anti-diabetic Activity of Chrysophyllum albidum (G. Don) Stem Bark in Alloxan-induced Type 1 Diabetic Female Wistar Rats

Abstract

Anti-diabetic activity of aqueous extract of Chrysophyllum albidum stem bark (AECASB) in female Wistar rats was investigated to confirm or refute the purported use and the underlying mechanism of action of C. albidum stem bark in the management of type 1 diabetes in Nigeria traditional medicine. Seventy female rats (180.60 ± 8.50 g) were assigned into seven groups. Rats in Group 1 (non-diabetic) were orally administered 1 mL of distilled water, while animals in Groups 2-7 were made diabetic and orally administered 1 mL of distilled water, 2.5 mg/kg body weight (bwt) of glibenclamide, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg bwt of AECASB, once daily for 14 days, respectively. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels of the rats were determined on days 0, 1, 4, 7, 10 and 14. Other biochemical, hematological parameters and pancreas histology of the rats were also determined/examined. The 25 mg/kg bwt of AECASB produced the most significant (p < 0.05) reversal on the alloxan treatment-induced increases in FBG, biochemical and hematological parameters and regenerated the pancreas. In conclusion, the 25 mg/kg bwt of aqueous extract of C. albidum stem was the effective in the management of diabetes and might have acted via regeneration of the pancreas, enhancement of glucose utilization and reduction of blood glucose.

Keywords: Type 1 diabetes mellitus; fasting blood glucose; Chrysophyllum albidum;  Sapotaceae