ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACTS OF SPONDIAS MOMBIN (ANACARDIACEAE) STEM BARK ON ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

S. mombin is traditionally used as a purgative, antihelmintic, analgesic, haemostatic, treatment of cough and gonorrhoea, and for diabetes. The present study was, therefore, undertaken to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of ethanolic extract of S. mombin stem bark in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Rats with fasting blood glucose level (FBG) in excess of 150 mg/dl, 18 h after alloxanisation, were treated with 100-250 mg/kg b.w. doses of the extract. Periodic determination of FBG up to 24 h. in an acute study showed delayed onset, but weak hypoglycaemic effect at 24 h. which was less than that of the standard drug, chlorpropamide. Administration of extract at the maintenance dose of 150 mg/kg in a prolonged study revealed sustained and significant increase (P< 0.05) in hypoglycaemic activity up to day 7, and this surpassed that of chlorpropamide. The FBG was reduced to a value close to pre-induction value of the untreated normoglycaemic animals and there was restoration of cellular population of the pancreatic beta cells in alloxanised diabetic rats fed with plant extract. The extract did not produce marked changes in body weight of rats throughout the study. The results of this study clearly indicate that S. mombin stem bark is a potential source of orally active antidiabetic agents.