Abstract
Traditional healers and the community have used the roots of Ajuga integrifolia for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. It is not scientifically validated for its antidiabetic activity previously. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to determine the hypoglycemic and antidiabetic activity of Ajuga integrifolia. Ajuga integrifolia roots' crude extract and solvent fractions were prepared. The doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg of crude root extract and solvent fractions were used on normoglycemic, oral glucose loaded, and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice models to determine their hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activities. The crude extract and solvent fractions' effect on bodyweight was also evaluated on streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. A standard drug in all cases was glibenclamide (5 mg/kg), and the blood glucose level was measured by using a glucose meter. Data analysis was performed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21. One-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's post hoc multiple comparison test was used to analyze the data. p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Hydromethanolic crude extract and its aqueous fraction of Ajuga integrifolia root showed a considerable blood glucose lowering activity at all doses. Both the repeated daily doses of the crude extract and the repeated daily doses of the aqueous fraction of Ajuga integrifolia root extract revealed the similar effect in lowering the fasting blood glucose level in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice models. It was also found that groups treated with the Ajuga integrifolia at the doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg showed significant (p < 0.05) bodyweight improvement at the 14th day of treatment compared to the respective baseline bodyweight, and the diabetic control group showed significant (p < 0.01) reduction in bodyweight at the 14th day compared to the baseline. This study revealed that crude extract and solvent fractions of Ajuga integrifolia root possess significant antidiabetic activity which supports its traditional use for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a cluster of metabolic diseases occurred as a result of insulin deficiency, insulin resistance, or both that result in hyperglycemia [1]
Development of DM involves different pathogenic processes, and these range from autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic β-cells that result in absolute insulin deficiency to abnormalities that result in insulin resistance. e basis of the abnormalities in the metabolism of carbohydrate, fat, and protein in diabetes is insufficient action of insulin on target tissues [3, 4]. e projected number of people aged 20–79 years with diabetes was 463 million worldwide in 2019. e worldwide prevalence of DM is estimated to rise to 578 million in 2030. e prevalence of diabetes in this age group was expected to be increased by 143% in Africa from 2019 to 2045, which is higher than other parts of the world
Drugs and chemicals used in the study were streptozotocin (Sigma Aldrich, Germany), methanol absolute (Nice Chemical, India), glibenclamide (Julphar pharmaceutical, Ethiopia), trisodium citrate dehydrate (Blulux Laboratories, India), citric acid monohydrate (Lab Tech chemical, India), 40% glucose solution (Reyoung Pharmaceutical, China), sterilized water for injections (Nirman Ltd., India), and distilled water, whereas the instruments used in this study were analytical balance, pH meter, glucometer and test strips (Alliance international, Taiwan), beakers, Whatman filter paper No.1, funnels, glass rod, measuring cylinder, vacuum pump, spatula, pipettes, gavage, animal cages, insulin syringe with needle, oven, and desiccators
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a cluster of metabolic diseases occurred as a result of insulin deficiency, insulin resistance, or both that result in hyperglycemia [1]. E projected number of people aged 20–79 years with diabetes was 463 million worldwide in 2019. E worldwide prevalence of DM is estimated to rise to 578 million in 2030. E annual worldwide health cost on diabetes is estimated to be United States Dollar (USD) 760 billion. Ajuga integrifolia is an herb belonging to Lamiaceae family under genus Ajuga and is locally known as “Tut Astel” and “Akorarach” in Amharic and “Harmegusa” in Oromifa in various parts of Ethiopia [9,10,11]. In Ethiopia, Ajuga integrifolia occurs in different regions including Amhara, Southern Nation, Nationalities and People (SNNP), Tigray, and Oromia [12]. In Ethiopia, Ajuga integrifolia occurs in different regions including Amhara, Southern Nation, Nationalities and People (SNNP), Tigray, and Oromia [12]. e aqueous and occasionally alcohol infusion of the fresh or dried leaves or root of the Ajuga integrifolia are traditionally used for treating DM [13]
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