Phytochemical and Pharmacological Basis for the Ethnomedicinal Use of Root Extracts from Anogeissus leiocarpus as an Antidiabetic in Eastern Nigeria
Edwin O. Omeje *
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Nigeria, 410001, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Patience O. Osadebe
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Nigeria, 410001, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Wilfred O. Obonga
Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Nigeria, 410001, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Christopher E. Ugwuoke
Department of Pharmacognosy and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, 410001, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Purpose: To obtain and validate evidence for or against the continued traditional use of A. leiocarpus root extract as an antidiabetic.
Methods: Aqueous methanol, ethanol, trona-treated ethanol extracts of the plant whole root, were screened for antidiabetic activity using alloxan-induced diabetic rats at three different oral dose levels (100-500 mg kg-1day-1) against standards. Phytochemical and acute toxicity tests were also carried out on the extracts.
Results: Tannins, saponins, carbohydrates occurred in very high amounts while steroids, terpenoids alkaloids, flavonoids and resins were moderate. The extracts exhibited a dose-dependent potent and statistically significant (p<0.05, ANOVA) antidiabetic activities up to the dose of 200 mg kg-1 compared to the untreated group with a glucose reduction values of 52.69±5.99% and 66.61±5.79%, respectively, at 12 and 24 h compared to 24.39±1.54% and 38.79±4.06% recorded for the positive control. Above 200 mg/kg dose, the extract did not produce additional activity. The calculated LD50 values of all the extracts were above 10,000 mg kg-1 in mice.
Conclusion: This study validates the traditional use of root extracts of A. leiocarpus as a potent, cheap and alternative antidiabetic remedy.
Keywords: A. leiocarpus, combretaceae, alloxan-induced, aqueous methanol, ethanol, trona-treated.