Antidiabetic Property of a Fraction of the Methanol Extract of the Seeds of Abrus precatorius in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats
Ebele Lauretta Iloanya *
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Okwesili Fred Chiletugo Nwodo
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Obiajulu Christian Ezeigwe
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Ogochukwu Rita Ngwu
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Valentine Osita Godwin Nwobodo
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Erhunmwense Ann Obayuwana
Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects of insulin secretion and/or increased cellular resistance to insulin. Abrusprecatoriushas been used for the treatment of various ailments including diabetes mellitus. This study is aimed at evaluating the possible anti-diabetic effect of the methanol fraction 2 (F2) of the seeds of Abrusprecatoriusin alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar albino rats.
Methods: The methanol extract of the seeds of A. precatorius Linn Fabaceae was fractionated by Sephadex G15. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal administration of 150 mg/kg bodyweight of alloxan. Acute toxicity (LD50) study was done using Lorke’s method. The antidiabetic activities of Fraction 2 (F2) and the biochemical parameters were investigated using standard diagnostic methods.
Results: The value of the LD50 is 529.2 mg/kg bw. Oral doses (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg bw.) of the extract caused a dose-dependent significant (p<0.05) reductions in blood glucose concentrations compared with diabetic untreated controls. There were significant decreases (p<0.05) in the total cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels of rats in the treatment groups compared with the diabetic untreated group. The groups that were treated with glibenclamide, 5 mg/kg of the fraction, 20mg/kg of the fraction and the group that was pre-treated with 10mg/kg of the fraction before the induction of diabetes showed a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the concentration of low-density lipoprotein and significant increase (p<0.05) in high-density lipoprotein concentrations compared with the diabetic untreated group. The protein level increased non-significantly (p>0.05) in all the test groups compared with the diabetic untreated control group except the pre-treated group which increased significantly (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The results obtained from this study revealed that the methanol fraction of A. precatorius has antidiabetic property which can be as a result of the important phytochemicals found in the F2 fraction. Fraction 2 (F2) however showed improvement in lipid profile.
Keywords: A. precatorius, diabetes mellitus, antidiabetic effects, Fraction 2, Low density lipoprotein concentration (LDL-C).