Abstract
Diabetes mellitus is a public health problem affecting about 8.4% of people in the world and knows an alarming progression in sub-Saharan Africa and in Cameroon precisely. The current therapeutic strategies have prohibitive prices, are unavailable and have harmful side-effects. So, this work aimed at contributing to the valorization of medicinal flora and `knowledge of traditional healers in Foumban, West-Cameroon, in the treatment of diabetes. An ethnopharmacological survey was conducted by consulting traditional healers of the District of Foumban. At the end of this investigation, Phragmanthera capitata, which was found to be the most active plant following preliminary tests, was selected for antidiabetic studies on three groups of rats: normal glycaemia, temporary hyperglycemia and diabetic. The first two groups were treated per os, with aqueous extract of leaves from P. capitata, with the doses of D2 (4 mL/kg) obtained from the traditional healers, D1 (half of D2), D3 (double of D2) and by glibenclamide (2.5 mg/kg). The rats of the last group were treated twice per day, with the same doses of extract and glibenclamide for 13 days and were sacrificed on the 14th day. Their blood was collected by cardiac puncture for the determination of biochemical and hematological parameters. Phytochemical screening was performed using standard methods. The administration of aqueous extract of P. capitata led to a hypoglycaemia effect in normal rats, a reduction of glycaemia in the temporary hyperglycaemia and diabetic rats. In addition, an improvement of lipid assessment, renal and hepatic parameters related to the installation of diabetes, as well as an immune-modulator effect of the extract were noted in diabetic rats treated for 13 days. Phytochemical screening indicated that the extract contains saponins, tannins, flavonoids, steroids and terpens. This work along with findings justifies the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Highlights
Diabetes formerly considered as an uncommon illness in sub-Saharan Africa became public health problem and knows an alarming progression [1]
The socio-economic impact of diabetes is very important in most countries of subSaharan Africa and generates enormous health expenditures which do not cease growing
The administration of Phagmanthera capitata extract to diabetic rats significantly decreased hyperglycaemia
Summary
Diabetes formerly considered as an uncommon illness in sub-Saharan Africa became public health problem and knows an alarming progression [1]. In Cameroon, the prevalence of diabetes rose from 1.5% in 1990 to 10% in 2014 and an increase of 80% is expected by 2035 [2]. The socio-economic impact of diabetes is very important in most countries of subSaharan Africa and generates enormous health expenditures which do not cease growing. Diabetes and its consequences caused 481.000 deaths in Africa, of which 13.822 in Cameroon in 2014; 75% of these deaths occurred among people of less than 60 years old with a strong rate in the young people from 20 to 39 years old [3]. The burden of diseases related to diabetes and the reduction of the life
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