Hy poglycemic p roperty of Ximenia americana stem bark extracts, and it's effects on scru m enzymes and lipid profile

Abstract

Phytochemical screening of aqueous and m ethanol i c extracts demonstrated the presence of alkaloids , saponins, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, volatile oil ls, reduced compound sugar and carbohydrate. The hypoglycaemic property of the aqueous and methanolic stem bark extracts of Ximenia americana was investigated in alloxan induced diabetic mice. Mice i n group one were used as negative control while those in groups two, three, four and five were rendered diabetic by the administration of 305 mg/kg of alloxan monohydrate . Group one mice were treated with 10 ml/kg of normal saline, while groups two, three and four m ice were treated with 500 ·mg/kg of standard drug (Metformin) , 500 mg/kg of aqueous extract and 506 m g/kg of methanolic extract respectively . Group five mice were not treated . Aqueous and methanolic extracts produced significant (P<0.05) reductions i n the blood glucose concentrations of diabetic mice in descending order within l to 8 da1ys of treatment while the blood glucose of diabetic untreated m ice shows an increase within the same period. The hypoglycemic potential of both extracts compared favourably to that of metformin. Biochem i cal analyses of serum shows that, though X Americana has hypoglycaemic potential, it may have hepatotoxic effect (especially the m ethanolic extract) but with no nephrotoxic effect. The two extracts showed a reduction i n the lipid profile of treated m ice and can therefore help to reduce the risk associated with increased serum lipid profile of diabetic patients.