Background: The phytochemical screening and antidiabetic activities of the methanol leaf extract and fractions of Sansevieria liberica Ger. and Labr. were investigated.Objectives: To identify the phytoconstituents present and evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of the leaf of S. liberica Ger. and Labr.Material and Methods: A 1.2 g of the pulverized leaf was cold macerated in methanol to obtain 240 g of the crude extract (CE), fractionation was done using n-hexane, ethylacetate and butanol. The CE and the fractions were screened for phytochemical and antidiabetic analysis using standard procedures. Diabetes was induced by intraperitonial injection of alloxan. The blood glucose levels were analyzed as indices of diabetes.Results: After 24 hours, alloxan increased the blood glucose level of rats indicating hyperglycaemia. Treatment of the rats with the extract and fractions reduced the blood glucose level within 3 to 7 days of treatment. The standard antidiabetic, metformin (500 mg/kg) also showed similar effect. Extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg) of the crude extract decreased significantly (p<0.05) the blood glucose level. The antidiabetic potency of the extract and fractions were in the order of CE ˃ ethylacetate fraction > n-Hexane fraction > butanol fraction. The phytochemical screening of the extract and fractions revealed the presence of flavonoids, steroids, alkaloids, glycosides etc.Conclusions: From the findings, S. liberica leaf posses antidiabetic activity which may be due to the phytochemical constituents present, and this justifies its use by local users as traditional remedy for diabetes mellitus.

Background: Pharmacognostic standards and toxicological studies of the leaf of S. siamea were carried out. Objectives: To determine the quantitative phytochemical constituents present, pharmacognostic standards and  toxicological effect of the methanol leaf extract and fractions of S. siamea. Methodology: Fresh leaves of S. siamea were collected, dried, pulverizes to powder and subjected to pharmacognostic and quantitative phytochemical analysis. The pulverized leaves were cold macerated in methanol for three days with intermittent shaking and exchange of fresh solvent every 24 hrs (aliquot extraction). Fractionation was done using n-hexane, ethylacetate and butanol. Chromatographic analysis of the methanol extract and fractions were obtained using standard methods. The methanol extract and fractions where screened for phytochemical constituents and toxicological effects using standard methods. Acute toxicity (LD50) of the extract was determined  using Lorke’s method. Results: Macroscopic and microscopic examinatios revealed acute apex, pinnate veination and diacytic stomata, trichomes respectively. Phytochemical screening of the extract and fractions revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins etc. Proximate analysis of S. siamea revealed moisture content of 5.50 %, total ash value of 15.00 %, water soluble ash of 2.00 % etc.  The LD50 was found to be > 5000 mg/kg. Increase in ALT, AST and ALP when metanol extract and fractions were administered were not statistically different from the control group, indicating no hepatotoxic potential. Increase in PCV, Hb and RBC when metanol extract and fractions were administered were not statistically different from control group. The non-significant decrease in the levels of ALP, ALT and AST indicates that the extract has possible hepatoprotective effect. The non-significant decrease in the levels of RBC, Hb and PCV indicates that the extract does not affect the heamatopoietic system when administered orally and at the doses used in the study. Conclusions: Specific standards obtained from the study may be compiled into a monograph of S.siemea plant that may constitute in herbal pharmacopoeia.