Preliminary evaluation of the antihyperglycaemic properties of medicinal plants in nsukka area, Enugu state, Nigeria

The anti hyperglycemic potentials of seven medicinal plants used in Nsukka area of Enugu state, Nigeria namely Bridellia micrantha, Oxythinia Abyssinia, Ixora brachypoda, Gmelina aborrea, Terminalia catappa, Hymenocardia acida and Cassytha filiformis were investigated on alloxan induced diabetic mice. The oral LD50 of the methanolic extracts in mice were greater than 2000 mg/kg. Phytochemical analysis of the extract revealed the presence of high levels of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, glycosides and saponins. Extracts of the plants screened for anti-diabetic activity in mice significantly (p<0.01) reduced the fasting blood glucose levels in alloxan diabetic mice. The leaves of Bridellia micrantha reduced the blood glucose levels by about 57.8%, Cassaytha filiformis by 46.8%, Terminalia catappa by 59%, Oxythina abyssinia by 71.5%, Ixora brachypoda by 67.6% , Gmelina aborrea by 30.1% while Hymenocardia acida provoked the highest anti-diabetic activity (72%) which appeared comparable to the standard control, Glibenclamide (71.7%).