Hypoglycaemic Agent(s) in Leaves ofElaeophorbia drupifera

Abstract

Male white Wistar rats (250–300 g), after an overnight fast, were treated with a crude extract (20 mg/kg oral) from the leaves of E. drupifera. The extract was administered 2 h before and 2 h after either an oral glucose load (3 g/kg) or a subcutaneous injection of adrenaline (0.01 mg/kg). The results showed that the extract reduced the blood glucose levels in rats that received the extract 2 h before glucose and adrenaline administration by about 34.3% and 35.2%, respectively. For the group that received the extract 2 h after glucose and adrenaline administration, the blood glucose levels were reduced by about 52.8% and 29.7%, respectively. Comparison was made between the action of the extract and a known hypoglycaemic drug — glibenclamide (0.29 mg/kg oral). The extract (20 mg/kg oral) was found to be faster and more effective than glibenclamide in lowering the blood glucose levels in fasting rats.