A Review on the Phytochemical and Anti-Hyperglycaemic Properties of the Fractionated Anacardium Occidentale L Leaves, Seeds and Stem Barks Extracts

Abstract

Despite considerable progress in the management of dysglycaemia by synthetic drugs, the search for improved and safe natural antidiabetics is ongoing, since the plant kingdom offers a wide range of oral hypoglycaemics.The phytochemical profile and the antihyperglycaemic properties of the various fractions of Anacardiumoccidentale L leaves, seeds as well as the stem barks extracts, on normoglycaemic animal models were reviewed.The extractants were tested for the presence of elementary phytochemicals following standard procedures.The phytochemical analysis of A. occidentaleextracts revealed the presence of a variety of rich secondary metabolites such as tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, steroids, glycosides and volatile oils. In the assay, various concentrations of the leaves, seeds and stem bark extracts 25ug/ml, 50ug/ml and 100ug/ml, were prepared. Also, 50ug/ml solution of anacardic acid, the active antidiabetic principle in cashew extract was prepared. The solutions were administered to the mouse and rat cell models, and incubated for 18hours, after which the glucose uptake was measured. In the case of the seeds extract, only 100ug/ml had a significant effect. Glucose uptake was significantly elevated in cells incubated with high dose of the extract and insulin, as compared with either the insulin or the extracts alone. The results obtained from this research that the leaves, seeds as well as the stem barks extracts of A. occidentale could be a lead candidate for the synthesis of potent antidiabetics or a nutraceutical for the management of dysglycaemia, which had posed a new threat to the global health security. KeywordsDysglycaemia, Insulinopenia, Phytochemicals, Pancreatectomize.