Effect of Hydromethanolic Leaf Extract of Cordia Africana (Boraginaceae) “Wanza” on Blood Glucose Level and Serum Electrolytes in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Mice

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by hyperglycemia due to an absolute or relative deficit in insulin production or action. Many plant species have been screened for their pharmacological properties in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Cordia africana is a traditional medicinal plant used to treat various health problems. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of hydromethanolic leaf extract of Cordia africana (Wanza) on blood glucose levels, serum electrolytes, and α-amylase inhibitory activities in Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. The method used is an experimental study conducted on streptozotocin-induced diabetic male mice. The mice were organized into 6 groups, each having five members: normal mice (negative control), diabetics treated with distilled water (positive control), diabetics treated with glibenclamide (standard control), and the other three groups were diabetic mice treated with different doses of leaf extract. Their fasting blood sugar was measured on the 0 th , 7 th , and 14 th days of the experiment. Serum electrolytes (Na + , K + , Cl − , and Ca 2+ ) had also been determined on the 14 th day of the experiment. The antioxidant properties and in vitro α-Amylase inhibitory actions of the extract had also been evaluated. The acute toxicity profile of the extract was assessed in 5 randomly selected female mice. The results of the study revealed that the hydromethanolic leaf extract of Cordia africana has a significant blood glucose-lowering effect. On the 7 th and 14 th day, the mean blood glucose levels of diabetic mice treated with 5mg glibenclamide, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg extract significantly diminished. Deranged serum electrolytes (Na + , K + , Cl − , and Ca 2+ ) and reduced body weight were significantly improved at both doses of the extract, as well as in 5mg glibenclamide-treated mice. Besides, good antioxidant and α-amylase inhibitory activity were obtained from the in vitro lab tests. In conclusion, the results of this study exhibited that the hydromethanolic leaf extract of Cordia africana remarkably reduces blood sugar and body weight in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Likewise, it improves deranged serum electrolytes. The extract also inhibits α-amylase activities.