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Evaluation of antidiabetic
potentials of Phyllanthus niruri in alloxan diabetic
rats
Okoli, C. O., Ibiam, A.
F., Ezike, A. C.*, Akah, P. A. and Okoye, T. C.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of
Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka,
410001, Enugu State, Nigeria.
*Correspondence: E-mail:
adaobiezike@yahoo.ca.
Accepted 28 August, 2009 |
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The
antidiabetic potentials of methanol extract (ME) of aerial
parts of Phyllanthus niruri L (Euphorbiaceae) was
evaluated in normal and alloxan diabetic rats. The results
showed that ME significantly (P<0.05)
reduced fasting blood sugar in a dose-related manner and
suppressed the postprandial rise in blood glucose after a
heavy glucose meal in normoglycaemic rats. Chronic oral
administration of ME caused a
significant (P<0.05)
dose-related reduction in blood glucose levels as well as
total cholesterol and triglycerides levels in diabetic and
normoglycaemic rats. Sub-chronic toxicity study showed that
ME-treated rats had significant (P<0.05) reductions in
haemoglobin (Hb) levels, red blood cell (RBC) and white
blood cell (WBC) counts followed by a gradual rise which did
not, however, attain basal levels; however, there was a
progressive rise in the WBC of ME-treated diabetic rats.
Also ME-treated and control rats had increases in weight
throughout the study. Histological studies showed that
ME-treated diabetic rats had the tissue architecture of
their pancreas restored as against the control groups where
there was evidence of necrosis. The acute toxicity
and lethality test of ME in mice gave an oral LD50
of
471.2 mg/kg. Results suggest that extract of aerial parts of
P. niruri has great potentials as anti-diabetic
remedy.
Key words:
Phyllanthus niruri, antidiabetic, alloxan, pancreas, blood glucose, blood cells, toxicity. |
