EVALUATION OF THE HYPOGLYCAEMIC POTENTIAL OF KIGELIA AFRICANA FRUIT POWDER BEING SOLD IN MALAWIAN RETAIL PHARMACIES

Authors

  • Fanuel Lampiao Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Herbal Medicine, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi;
  • Samson Kafukiza Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi
  • Denise Msowoya Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi
  • Thokozire Phiri Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi
  • Lina Wyson Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi
  • Louisa Alfazema Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21010/ajtcamv15i3.3

Keywords:

Kigelia africana, hyperglycaemia, diabetes, herbal medicine

Abstract

Background: Kigelia africana fruit powder is being sold in Malawian retail pharmacies for the purported purpose of lowering blood sugar in diabetic patients when there is scant data on its hypoglycaemic activity. This study was aimed at evaluating the hypoglycaemic potential of the Kigelia africana fruit powder being sold in Malawian retail pharmacies. Materials and Methods: Hyperglycaemia was induced in rats via intra-peritoneal injection of dexamethasone. Albino rats were randomly allocated into five different groups of eight rats each. Group 1 consisted of non-hyperglycaemic rats receiving no treatment, group 2 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving no treatment, group 3 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving 25mg/kg of metformin, group 4 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving 0.5mL of Kigelia africana fruit powder filtered solution, and group 5 consisted of hyperglycaemic rats receiving 1mL of Kigelia africana fruit powder solution. Results: The Kigelia africana fruit powder filtered solution administered to hyperglycaemic albino rats significantly lowered the sugar level which was comparable to the reduction caused by the pharmacological drug, metformin. Conclusions: Kigelia africana fruit powder has the potential of lowering glucose levels in white albino rats.

Author Biographies

Fanuel Lampiao, Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Herbal Medicine, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi;

Africa Centre of Excellence in Public Health and Herbal Medicine, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi

Samson Kafukiza, Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi

Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi

Denise Msowoya, Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi

Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi

Thokozire Phiri, Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi

Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi

Lina Wyson, Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi

Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi

Louisa Alfazema, Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi

Pharmacy Department, College of Medicine, P/Bag 360, Blantyre, Malawi

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Published

2018-05-30

How to Cite

Lampiao, F., Kafukiza, S., Msowoya, D., Phiri, T., Wyson, L., & Alfazema, L. (2018). EVALUATION OF THE HYPOGLYCAEMIC POTENTIAL OF KIGELIA AFRICANA FRUIT POWDER BEING SOLD IN MALAWIAN RETAIL PHARMACIES. African Journal of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 15(3), 27–30. https://doi.org/10.21010/ajtcamv15i3.3

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 3 (2018)

Section

Research Papers

License

Copyright: Creative Commons Attribution CC.

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