Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the antidiabetic potential of Ceiba pentandra leaves used by some Nupe speaking community of Niger State, Nigeria in folkloric management of diabetes. Methods: Fifteen albino rats of both sexes weighing between 100 and 160 g were randomly allotted to five groups of four rats each. Alloxan monohydrate (110 mg/kg body weight) was intraperitoneally administered to rats in their respective groups, and rats with blood glucose (200 mg/kg body weight) were considered diabetic. Diabetic rats in their respective groups received 2.5 mg/kg body weight of standard drug (glibenclamide), 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of extract once daily for 12 days. Normoglycemic group (reference group I) received 0.5 mL normal saline, while the last group was untreated diabetic (reference group II). The blood glucose was measured by using Accu-Chek Active glucometer every three days and the experiment was terminated at 17th day. Results: Blood glucose decreased significantly (P < 0.05) in all the treated groups during the period of treatment with highest hypoglycaemic activity observed in 200 mg/kg body weight group. The diabetic untreated group showed significant reduction (P < 0.05) in body weight as it was a clinical feature of diabetes in reference to normoglycemic, and other treatment groups. Platelets showed a significant decrease and increase respectively in the untreated and treated groups in reference to the normoglycemic group. Decreased packed cell volume, red blood cells and hemoglobin count, and an increase in white blood cell were also observed in the untreated group. Body weight of the treated groups remained stable as against the reference group II. Activities of the serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, chloride and potassium increased significantly (P < 0.05) in standard drug while carbonate and sodium showed the opposite. The urea, creatinine, total and conjugated bilirubin all increased significantly (P < 0.05) in the standard drug and untreated groups. Total cholesterol, triglyceride increased and high density lipoprotein increased in all groups against the untreated group. Conclusions: Both doses of ethyl acetate fraction of Ceiba pentandra were able to reduce the blood glucose and ameliorate the hematological abnormalities associated with diabetes mellitus.

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