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C. N. Aguwa , C. V. Ukwe , S. I. Inya-agha , J. M. Okonta

Abstract

Objective: The blood sugar lowering effect of P. nitida aqueous seed extract was investigated on normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic rabbits. Materials and methods: The hypoglycaemic effect of P. nitida was evaluated using alloxan (80 mg/kg body weight, i.p) induced hyperglycaemic rabbits. The extracts potency was compared with standard drug, tolbutamide and distilled water. The LD₅₀ was determined using mice. Results: A dose of 648 mg/kg body weight of extract caused maximum lowering of blood sugar levels in both normal and alloxanized rabbits. The mean fasting blood sugar in the normoglycaemic rabbit was reduced by 19.46% within 3 h, while in alloxanized rabbits blood sugar level was reduced by 75.5% within 6 h. The LD₅₀ of the extract in mice was 1601.2 ± 60.5 mg/kg body weight when given i.p. Conclusion: P. nitida, though a crude drug, exhibited a faster onset of action and more persistent in hyperglycaemic situation than tolbutamide standard controls. This qualifies it to be used in ethnomedical diabetic management.

Keywords

Picralima Nitida, Antidiabetic Activity, Alloxan

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C. O. Esimone , J. M. Okonta , C. O. Ezugwu

Abstract

Objective: The hypoglycaemic effect of A. occidentale aqueous leaf extract was evaluated on normoglycaemic and hyperglycaemic rabbits. Materials and methods: Antidiabetic activity of A. occidentale was evaluated using alloxan (80 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally) induced hyperglycemic rabbits. The potency of extract was compared with that of tolbutamide. The acute toxicity was determined using mice. Results: A dose 400 mg/ kg body weight of the extracts caused maximum lowering of blood sugar levels in both normal and alloxanized rabbits. The fasting blood sugar in the normoglycemic rabbits was reduced from 184.6 mg% to 74.2 mg% in three hours; while in alloxanized rabbits, blood sugar was reduced from 447.6 mg% to 242.8 mg% in three hours. The LD₅₀ of the extract in mice was 4000 mg/kg body weight when given intraperitoneally. Conclusion: A. occidentale is almost equipotent to tolbutamide in its ability to reduce the blood sugar levels. The above observation is consistent with the use of A. occidentale in foklore diabetes management.

Keywords

Anacardium Occidentale, Hypoglycaemic Activity, Alloxan

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