Antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of leaves of cnestis ferruginea vahl ex DC. (Connaraceae) on alloxan-diabetic induced mice.

Abstract Background: Cnestis ferruginea is a plant species widely used in the traditional african medicine to treat diabetes mellitus. The present study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic activities of the aqueous extract of the leaves of Cnestis ferruginea (AECF) in diabetic mice. Methods: The mice were grouped into five groups of five animals per group: Group A was not induced with alloxan, Group B animals were induced but not treated, Group C animals were treated with 500 mg / kg of BW of metformin, Group D and E animals were treated with 100, 200 mg/kg BW of AECF respectively. The extracts were administered to the animals orally for 14 days. Fasting blood sugar was measured by a glucometer. Serum concentrations of hematological and biochemical parameters were measured by standard methods. Results: The animals administered with 100 and 200 mg/Kg B.W of extract showed highly significant decrease (P ˂ 0.0001) in blood sugar level compared to the untreated animals. The 100 mg / kg BW dose of AECF produce low significant decrease (P <0.05) of total cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, AST, ALT, urea, levels of white blood cells, platelets, hematocrit. The 200 mg / kg BW dose of AECF produce in addition significant decrease (P <0.01) of AST and urea. Conclusion: The 200 mg / kg dose of BW of AECF had a greater antidiabetic activity than the dose of 100 mg / kg BW. Keywords: Cnestis ferruginea; antidiabetic activity; alloxan; diabetes mellitus.