Abstract
Many plants with antidiabetic properties probably act in part through their content of fibre, vitamins, bioactive or mineral content This study investigated the mineral, proximate, phytochemical compositions and hypoglycaemic effect of Commelina africana and Ageratum conyzoides extracts in diabetic rats, and the likely relationship between this property and the mineral, proximate and phytochemical compositions of the plants. The plants were subjected to mineral, proximate composition and phytochemical analysis. Attempt was made to see (if any) the relationship between the hypoglycaemic effect and the mineral, proximate compositions and phytochemistry of the plants. Alloxan-induced diabetic animals were administered 500 mg/kg body weight aqueous extracts of the plants and glibenclamide as the reference hypoglycaemic agent. Aqueous extract of Ageratum conyzoides reduced fasting blood glucose of experimental animals by 39.1% while Commelina africana reduced the same by 78.0%. Alkaloids, cardenolides, saponins, and tannins were detected in both plants. Anthraquinones was absent in C. africana but a trace of it was detected in A. conyzoides. The hypoglycaemic effect of Commelina africana was comparable with the reference hypoglycaemic agent. Ageratum conyzoides showed comparably weaker hypoglycaemic effect than exhibited by reference hypoglycaemic agent. Comparatively, Commelina africana had higher mineral concentrations (except Na) than Ageratum conyzoides. Plants' extracts minerals (magnesium, potassium and iron) and bioactive components (alkaloids and cardenolides) seemingly enhanced their hypoglycaemic effect. Furthermore, these minerals, alkaloids and cardenolides could be helpful in ameliorating complications of diabetes like hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
Highlights
Diabetes is a chronic disorder of glucose intolerance
This disease is alarming and has been described as a major cause of disability and death.[1]. It is characterised by high blood glucose level and glycosuria resulting from dysfunction of pancreatic â-cells and insulin resistance
The objective of this work was to investigate the anti-diabetic effect of fresh leaves of Commelina africana, and Ageratum conyzoides in diabetic rats with a view to evaluating their beneficial hypoglycaemic effect and to show the relationship between this property and the plants’ mineral/ chemical compositions
Summary
Diabetes is a chronic disorder of glucose intolerance. This disease is alarming and has been described as a major cause of disability and death.[1]. Attempt was made to see (if any) the relationship between the hypoglycaemic effect and the mineral, proximate compositions and phytochemistry of the plants. Results: Aqueous extract of Ageratum conyzoides reduced fasting blood glucose of experimental animals by 39.1% while Commelina africana reduced the same by 78.0%. The hypoglycaemic effect of Commelina africana was comparable with the reference hypoglycaemic agent. Ageratum conyzoides showed comparably weaker hypoglycaemic effect than exhibited by reference hypoglycaemic agent. Commelina africana had higher mineral concentrations (except Na) than Ageratum conyzoides. Conclusions: Plants’ extracts minerals (magnesium, potassium and iron) and bioactive components (alkaloids and cardenolides) seemingly enhanced their hypoglycaemic effect. These minerals, alkaloids and cardenolides could be helpful in ameliorating complications of diabetes like hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
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