BackgroundDiabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of multiple aetiology characterised by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. It is a global epidemic ravaging both developed and developing countries. The situation will worsen if nothing is done urgently. In fact, the need to identify natural products with antidiabetic potentials is of great importance as supported by several research efforts all over the world, in search of antidiabetic plant based products that are safe and efficacious. Available literatures show that several phytochemicals with antidiabetic properties have been identified in certain plants amongst which include Uvaria chamae. The potentials of Uvaria chamae as an antidiabetic and hypolipidemic drug-candidate are thus tested.MethodsDiabetes mellitus was experimentally induced after the rats were fasted overnight by administering intraperitoneally, 60 mg/kg streptozotocin. After 72 h, the rats with plasma glucose levels >200 mg/dl were classified as diabetic. A total of six groups containing five rats per group were used. One group of diabetic rats was untreated. Three diabetic groups, each were treated orally with 100, 250 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract. Another diabetic group was treated with insulin (0.5 IU/kg) subcutaneously. The control received 0.5 ml (2% solution) of acacia orally. The treatment was for 8 days. The effects of the extract on weight, plasma glucose and other biochemical parameters were evaluated using standard procedures.ResultsThe diabetic rats treated with the extract showed significant reductions (p < 0.05) in weight, plasma glucose levels, low density lipoprotein and cholesterol compared with the control. The 100, 250 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract showed maximum glucose reduction of 85.16, 81.50 and 86.02% respectively. Histologically the pancreas of the diabetic rats treated with the extract, showed clusters of variably sized regenerated islet of Langerhans within sheets of normal exocrine pancreas, while the pancreas of diabetic rats treated with insulin showed no islet of Langerhans.ConclusionThe study showed that Uvaria chamae caused weight loss and has good hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities that may reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
Research ArticlePreliminary phytochemical screenPreliminary phytochemical screenPreliminary phytochemical screening and evaluation of hypoglycemic ing and evaluation of hypoglycemic ing and evaluation of hypoglycemic properties of the root extract of properties of the root extract of properties of the root extract of Uvaria chamae Uvaria chamae Uvaria chamae
BJP
IntroductionDiabetes mellitus has been described as a metabolic disorder of multiple etiologies characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both (Walter, 1977;Albert et al., 1998;Kumar and Clark, 2005).It is a major degenerative disease in the world today afflicting many lives both in the developed and developing countries (Mbaka et al., 2012). It is usually irreversible and its late complications result in reduced life expectancy and major health loss (Kumar and Clark, 2005). Currently diabetes is controlled by diet, exercise, oral hypoglycaemic agents and insulin therapy (Mallick et al., 2007). The high level of treatment failures, unpleasant side effects and enormous cost associated with oral anti-diabetic drugs have generated an urgent need and desire for alternative treatments (Suneetha et al., 2010). The preferred choice of plant medicine by many might not be unconnected with the historical successes recorded in the use of herbal product in traditional system of medicine in managing diabetes mellitus (Mbaka et al., 2012). Besides, herbal formulations were observed to have fewer side effects and less toxic because of their rich natural source. Based on these and the support provided for its practice by the World Health Organization, several scientific investigations are being conducted with the view of identifying new active ingredient of natural source that would be more effective in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and diabetic complications (WHO, 1980). Uvaria chamae is a medicinal plant that belongs to the family, Annonaceae. It is a climbing plant commonly found in West Africa (Irvin, 1961;Okwu, 2004
AbstractThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the hypoglycaemic properties and preliminary phytochemical screening of Uvaria chamae. The hypoglycaemic properties of U. chamae was assessed on normoglycaemic rat that received single dose of the extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight and blood glucose levels estimated at 2, 4, and 6 hours (single dose study). The hypoglycaemic property of the extract was also evaluated in normoglycemic rats by oral glucose tolerance test. Phytochemical screening of the extract for the presence of secondary metabolites was performed with standard methods. The extract showed a significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose levels at 2 and 6 hours compared to control. The oral glucose tolerance test result also showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in blood glucose levels. The study showed that the extract, U. chamae has hypoglycaemic properties which may be accounted for by the presence of t...
Diabetes mellitus has been a menace to mankind from time immemorial. However, a natural product such as U. chamae P. Beauv (Annonaceae) offers alternative treatment for diabetes mellitus. The study aimed at evaluating antidiabetic activity of the ethanolic root extract of U. chamae in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in Sprague Dawley rats after overnight fast with 150 mg/kg alloxan intraperitoneally. After 72 h, those with plasma glucose levels >200 mg/dl were classified as diabetic. Five diabetic rats in each group were treated daily for 14 days orally with 100, 250, and 400 mg/kg of the extract, glibenclamide (71 µg/kg) and pioglitazone (429 µg/kg), respectively, while another group was untreated. Control received 0.5 ml of Acacia senegal. Effects of extract on glucose, other biochemical, and hematological parameters were evaluated. α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of extract and its fractions were also evaluated. Percentage inhibition and IC50 values were determined. Diabetic control was achieved on the 7th day of the study with 100, 250, and 400 mg/kg of the extract showing glucose reduction of 72.14%, 78.75%, and 87.71%, respectively. The HDL-cholesterol levels of diabetic rats treated with extracts were significantly increased. Extract and its fractions caused α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition. Histologically, pancreas of diabetic rats treated with extract showed regenerated islet cells which were not seen in rats treated with glibenclamide and pioglitazone. This study showed that U. chamae has antidiabetic activity which may be through α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition and regeneration of pancreatic beta cells. Also, it may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by increasing HDL-cholesterol levels.
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