Planta Med 2011; 77 - PF14
DOI: 10.1055/s-0031-1282402

Antihyperglycaemic and antihyperlidaemic effects of Raphia hookeri root extract on alloxan induced diabetic rats

GO Mbaka 1, SO Ogbonnia 2, AE Banjo 3
  • 1Department of Anatomy, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria.
  • 2Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lagos, Idi- Araba, Lagos, Nigeria.
  • 3Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Remo Campus, Ikenne, Nigeria

The antihyperglycaemic and antihyperlidaemic effects of Raphia hookeri G.Mann & H.Wendl. (RH) root extract used for diabetic treatment were evaluated against alloxan diabetic rats.

Adult rats weighing 150±10g were fasted for 18 hrs and induced with diabetes for three days using alloxan monohydrate (150mg/kg body weight). Animals with blood glucose level >=250mg/dl were used. Diabetic rats were divided into four groups and treated as follows: groups 1–3 received graded doses of RH (50, 100 and 200mg/kg) by gavages; group 4- glibenclamide (10mg/kg); groups 5 and 6 as normal and diabetic controls. Each comprised of 5 rats. Blood was collected at days, 0, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 15 and analyzed for glucose by oxidase method; Lipid profile, by modified enzymatic procedure1; Insulin assay, using Diagnostic Automation Kit 2 and glycated haemoglobin by standard protocol 3.

Results showed that the extract exhibited significant (P<0.05) dose dependent decrease in glycaemia from day 3 to 15 with highest dose exerting 87% decrease at day 15. RH dose at 500mg/kg on normal rat caused hypoglycaemia after 4hrs with maximum decrease (54.7%) observed after 8 hrs. Total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels decreased with dose while high density lipoprotein cholesterol showed dose increase. RH stimulated insulin secretion and equally exerted significant increase in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). Photomicrograph of RH treated showed significant beta cell survivors.

RH exhibited antihyperglycaemic and insulin stimulatory effects with beneficial effect on lipid homeostasis.

Acknowledgement: Prince Musibau Sikiru a herbalist at Sagamu, Ogun State, Nigeria, for assisting with the plant material.