Acute Toxicity Studies and Anti-diabetic Activity of Methanolic Root Extract of Kigelia africana (lam.) Benth in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disease which results in elevated blood sugar levels. Kigelia africana plant has many medicinal properties due to the presence of numerous secondary metabolites. The aim of this research was to evaluate the acute toxicity profile and anti-hyperglycemic potential of methanol root extract of Kigelia africana on alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Twenty (20) 3-4 weeks old albino rats of mixed sexes with body weight 60-100 g were grouped into five groups (GI - GV) of equal number of rats. Diabetes was induced in the rats of Groups GII -GV, while GI rats were considered as non-diabetic control. GII which is the Diabetic control were received no treatment whereas, GIII were administered orally with 5 mg/kg b.w of standard anti-diabetic drugs Glibenclamide, GIV were orally administered 250 mg/kg b.w of extract and GV were orally administered 500 mg/kg b.w of extract. After 14 days of the treatments, the animals were sacrificed and their serum was analysed for lipid profile, hematological parameters, liver and kidney indices. At the end of the study, the root extract was found to posses’ anti-diabetic potential and due to less toxicity at low dose of about 500 mg/kg, the extract is believed to be safe for consumption at low dosage.