Hypoglycaemic Effect of Extracts of Hyphaene thebaica (L) Mart Fruit Pulp in Normal and Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Shehu, B.B., Gidado, A. and Buratai, L.B

 Department of Biochemistry,

University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.

E-mail: bintabshehu@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Hyphaene thebaica, Boscia senegalensis, Balanite aegyptica and Anisopus mannii are plants claimed to posses anti-diabetic properties. In this study extracts of parts of these plants were first screened for anti hyperglycaemic activity using alloxan induced diabetic rats. In the second part of the study, aqueous and methanolic fractions of the fruit pulp of H. thebaica were prepared and different doses administered to different batches of rats (both normal and alloxan diabetic rats) after an 18 hours fast. Blood glucose levels were measured at 0,1,2,4 and 6 hours after treatment. A maximum reduction in fasting blood glucose of 28.4% was observed in diabetic rats administered 400 mg/dl dose of H. thebaica fruit methanol extract during the screening study. In the second part of the study, the aqueous extract at 800 mg/kg dose lowered the fasting blood glucose of both normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats by 21.1% and 27.6% respectively. The methanolic extract, on the other hand, had maximum reduction of 33.1% for normoglycaemic rats and 33.7% for diabetic rats at the same 800 mg/kg dose. The anti hyperglycaemic effect of the methanolic fraction is comparable or even better than the maximum reduction observed with the diabetic rats administered with standard (glibenclamide) drug. The results of the study therefore indicate that fruits of H. thebaica pulp passing hypoglycaemic activity.