Hypoglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Telfairia occidentalis leaf extract in alloxan induced diabetic wistar rats

Abstract

Okonkwo Chukwudi Onyeka, Egesie Gideon Umezurike, Maduka Stephen Ozoemena., Oguaka Victor Nwabunwanne.

Aim: This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of oral administration of aqueous extract of Telfaria occidentalis on insulin level of diabetic rats before and after 14 days of treatment. Methods: Diabetes was induced in the animals by an intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate dissolved in sterile normal saline in a dose of 150 mg/kg body weight. After 72 hours of the injection, rats that are diabetic (indicted by hyperglycemia) were used for the experiment. Blood samples were collected from the tails of the rats and blood glucose was determined using a glucometer. The rats were divided into Groups I–VI. Group I animals served as non-diabetic control and were administered 0.5 ml of water daily for 14 consecutive days. Groups II and III were non-diabetics that were administered daily with 150 mg/kg body weight and 300 mg/kg body weight of Telfairia occidentalis extracts (TO exts), respectively for 14 consecutive days. Group IV rats served as diabetic control and were administered with 0.5 ml of water daily for 14 consecutive days while groups V and VI were diabetic rats that were administered daily with 150 mg/kg body weight and 300 mg/kg body weight of TO exts, respectively for 14 consecutive days. Results: TO exts was shown to significantly (p < 0.05) lower the fasting blood glucose (FBG) in alloxan induced diabetic rats in a dose-related fashion, and also, showed significant (p < 0.05) lowering of FBG in normal (non-diabetic) rats that received 300 mg/kg/ day of TO exts. Telfairia occidentalis showed no significant (p > 0.05) reduction in the FBG of normal (non-diabetics) rats that received 150 mg/kg/day of TO exts. Conclusion: Telfairia occidentalis might be producing its hypoglycemic effect via stimulation of insulin secretion from the beta cells of the islets of Langerhans or increased peripheral utilization of glucose by the cells.