Hypoglycemic Effect of Gongronema latifolia Extracts in Rats

Abstract

Phytochemistry and hypoglycemic effect of the water and Ethanolic Extracts of the leaves of Gongronema latifolium were screened for. The extracts were Soxhlet extracted and phytochemically screened. Three tolerated doses were estimated from acute toxicity studies and orally administered to three groups of 10 rats per group, daily for 21 days. After treatments, rats of groups 1 to 3 were sacrificed and blood samples collected for glucose analysis and was compared to control group 4. Phytochemistry reveals that, both extracts of the plant contain predominant amount of Saponins and Polyphenols among other phytochemicals. Glucose analysis shows dose related reduction in the blood glucose levels compared to control. The polyphenols content of the plant extracts could cause the hypoglycemic effect observed, suggesting insulin-like activity which justifies the use of the plant leaf in the management of diabetic Mellitus in Nigeria herbal medicine.

Keywords: Phytochemistry, phytopharmacology, hypoglycemia, extracts, Gongronema latifolium