Abstract

Ajibola Ipadeola* , Adesanya Gbenga , Sofola Adeoye

Anti-hyperglycaemic and anti-diabetic activity of petroleum ether seed extract of Sphenocentrum jollyanum (SJ) Pierre (Menispermaceae) was evaluated in hyperglycaemic and in alloxan diabetic rabbits. The seed extract of SJ and glibenclamide administered 30 min prior to the glucose load significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the peak values and the area under curve of blood glucose by 20.0 % and 43.8 % respectively compared to the untreated. In alloxan diabetic animals, treatment with the seed extract of SJ significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the blood glucose level in a dose dependent manner from day 3 of daily treatment and continued till the last day of the treatment. Further decrease was however recorded post-treatment with the extract doses of 300, 600 and 1200 mg/kg body weight (bw) showing maximum percentage decrease of 12.3, 29.2 and 32.7 respectively while glibenclamide group (10 mg/kg) recorded a decrease of 51.9 %. Tissue morphology of the extract treated diabetic rabbits showed necrotic beta cells with some viable cells at the periphery. In glibenclamide treated, considerable damage to the beta cells was equally recorded. The result indicates that the extract attenuated hyperglcaemia in alloxan diabetic rabbits