Abstract
The antidiabetic potentials of Heliotropium indicum L. leaf aqueous (HILA) extract used for the management of diabetes by Traditional Medicinal Practitioners (TMPs) in Nigeria was assessed. Alloxan (ALX)-induced hyperglycaemic rats were orally administered with known folkloric dosage of 30 and 75 mg/kg b. wt. of HILA extract, once a day, for 14 days. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were monitored and pancreatic histology was examined. Net hepatic glycogen (GLY) concentration and lipid profiles were also determined. Prior to treatment, ALX-induced hyperglycaemia (>250 mg/dL) was established in rats. Oral administration of 30 and 75 mg/kg b. wt. HILA extract to diabetic rats for 14 days caused significant reduction in FBG to baseline values observed in non-diabetic conditions. Treatment with HILA extract also showed improvement in lipid abnormalities observed in hyperglycaemic condition, levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly reduced and HDL-cholesterol increased resulting in improved artherogenic index. Hepatic GLY concentration was significantly increased in diabetic rat treated with the extract. Histological examinations showed degenerated and sparse pancreatic islets β-cells in non-treated diabetic rat, whereas microscopy of treated rats showed mild to normal architecture with enriched β-cells. Preliminary phytochemical profiling of the extract revealed the presence of alkaloids (2.54 mg/g), saponins (0.28 mg/g), phenols (0.04 mg/g) and anthraquinones (0.01 mg/g). Results from this study revealed that the aqueous leaf extract of H. indicum possesses not only antihyperglycaemic, but also antidyslipidemic activities, that may prove to be of clinical importance in the management of diabetes and associated secondary complications.
Highlights
International Diabetes Federation reported that about 387 million people have diabetes and this is projected to ascend to 592 million by 2035
Results from this study revealed that the aqueous leaf extract of H. indicum possesses antihyperglycaemic, and antidyslipidemic activities, that may prove to be of clinical importance in the management of diabetes and associated secondary complications
The extensive medicinal use of the aqueous broth of H. indicum leaves for management of diabetes and its secondary complications especially dyslipidemia by Traditional Medicinal Practitioners (TMPs) in Nigeria is yet to be established by adequate scientific data
Summary
International Diabetes Federation reported that about 387 million people have diabetes and this is projected to ascend to 592 million by 2035. Type 2 diabetes is treated with synthetic drugs, over the decade, the most significant and most preferred being metformin (Rojas and Gomes, 2013) Gastrointestinal side effects such as abdominal discomfort, anorexia, bloating and diarrhoea are adverse side effects associated with its therapy. Heliotropium indicum is considered one of the important herbs prescribed by TMPs for the treatment of diabetes mellitus in North Central Nigeria (Atawodi et al, 2014). It belongs to the family Boraginaceae (Burkhill, 1985). The extensive medicinal use of the aqueous broth of H. indicum leaves for management of diabetes and its secondary complications especially dyslipidemia by TMPs in Nigeria is yet to be established by adequate scientific data. In furtherance of the current investigations of medicinal plants used in the management of diabetes in Nigeria, the hereby study was carried out to evaluate the antidiabetic potentials of the aqueous extract from the leaves of H. indicum
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