Anti-diabetic Activity of Sanseviera liberica Gerome and Labroy (Agavaceae) Root Extract and Fractions on Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Background: The root decoction of Sanseviera liberica Gerome and Labroy (Agavaceae) is used in traditional African medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, convulsion, earache, and wounds. Objective: This study sought to investigate the effect of Sanseviera liberica methanol root extract (SL) and its fractions - hexane (HF), chloroform (CF), ethylacetate (EF) and butanol (BF) on alloxan-induced hyperglycaemia in rats. Methods: SL (100, 200 or 400 mg/kg, p.o.), and fractions (100 mg/kg, p.o.) or insulin (0.4 IU/kg, positive control) were respectively administered to rats which thereafter were subjected to glucose tolerance (2 g/kg, i.p.) or alloxan-induced hyperglycaemia (150 mg/kg, i.p.) tests for 21 consecutive days. Blood glucose level, glycosylated haemoglobin, liver glycogen, renal and liver functions were assayed. Results: SL, CF and EF, as well as glibenclamide produced time course and significant reduction in blood glucose level in glucose tolerance test. Interestingly, alloxan administration increased blood glucose level, glycosylated haemoglobin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aspartate transaminase (AST), and albumin which were attenuated by SL, CF, and EF administration. The preliminary phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, phenols, tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, terpenoids, anthraquinones and alkaloids. Conclusion: Findings from this study established the antidiabetic activity of methanolic root extract of S. liberica and its fractions in rats. Thus, it could be a potential phytomedicine in the management of diabetes.