Chemical Profiling and Antihyperglycaemic Study on Butanol Fraction of Chlorophytum alismifolium Baker (Liliaceae)

Abstract

Purpose: Diabetes mellitus is a disorder associated with debilitating complications. This study was aimed at evaluating the chemical profile and antihyperglycaemic effect of butanol fraction of Chlorophytum alismifolium. Methodology: The powdered plant was extracted sequentially using soxhlet apparatus with solvents of varying polarities until butanol fraction was obtained. GC-MS analysis, phytochemical screening and acute toxicity studies were carried out. Antihyperglycaemic study was carried out using alloxan-induced hyperglycaemia in rats. Male Wistar rats were injected with 120 mg/kg of alloxan intraperitoneally, the rats with fasting blood glucose levels between 200 and 350 mg/dL were considered hyperglycaemic. Experimental groups were set up using normal rats in group I and hyperglycaemic rats in five groups of six rats each. Group II was the hyperglycaemic control while groups III, IV and V received the butanol fraction of C. alismifolium at 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg respectively. Group VI received glimepiride 1 mg/kg. Blood glucose levels were monitored before treatment at 0 hour and 1, 2, 3 and 5 hours after treatment. Findings: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, flavonoids, glycosides and triterpenes while GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of thirteen compounds some of which include; isoxazolidine, isothiazole and acetamide. Oral median lethal dose of the extract in rats was estimated to be >5,000 mg/kg. The butanol fraction of C. alismifolium at all the doses tested showed significant (p<0.05) blood glucose lowering effect when compared over time. Conclusion: The findings from this research showed that butanol fraction of Chlorophytum alismifolium possesses important compounds with antihyperglycaemic activity. Keywords: Chlorophytum alismifolium, Hyperglycaemia, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry