African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 4 (1), pp. 91-93, January 2005   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2004 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Effect of Nauclea latifolia leaves aqueous extracts on blood glucose levels of normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Gidado A., Ameh D.A.* and Atawodi, S.E.

Department of Biochemistry Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria  Zaria, Nigeria.

*Correspondence author.  E-mail: danladiameh@yahoo.co.uk.

 Accepted 17 November, 2004

In Northern Nigeria, different parts of Nauclea latifolia (family: Rubiaceae) are prescribed as  remedy for diabetes mellitus. This study was designed to evaluate the hypoglycemic property of aqueous extract of the leaves of the plant in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The aqueous extracts at (200 mg/kg bw.) significantly lowered glucose levels (p<0.05) of the diabetic rats by 45% within 4 h but showed no similar effect in normoglycaemic rats. This finding  suggest that aqueous extract of the leaves  of N. latifolia posses hypoglycaemic activity to warrant further detailed study to elucidate its therapeutic, toxicological and phytochemical properties.

Key words: Nauclea  latifolia, hypoglycaemic activity, alloxan-induced diabetes.