In Vivo Hypoglycemic Effect of Kigelia africana (Lam): Studies With Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Mice

Abstract

The claims by the traditional herbal medicine practitioners that Kigelia africana has bioactivity against several diseases, including diabetes mellitus, were investigated in this study. Type I diabetes mellitus was induced in mice by intraperitoneal administration of alloxan monohydrate followed by treatment with the therapeutic doses of the aqueous and ethyl acetate leaf extract of K africana to the experimentally diabetic mice. The treatment effects were compared with the normal control, diabetic control, and diabetic control rats treated with a standard antidiabetic drugs (insulin administered intraperitoneally at 1 IU/kg body weight in 0.1 mL physiological saline or glibenclamide administered orally at 3 mg/kg body weight in 0.1 mL physiological saline). Phytochemical composition of the leaf extract was assessed using standard procedures and mineral elements assessed using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and total reflection X-ray fluorescence system. Oral and intraperitoneal administration of the aqueous and ethyl acetate leaf extract caused a statistically significant dose-independent reduction in plasma glucose level in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. The observed hypoglycemic activity of this plant extract could be attributed to the observed phytochemicals and trace elements, which have been associated with exhibiting antidiabetic properties. Therefore, the data appear to support the hypoglycemic effects of K africana validating its folkloric usage.

Anti-diabetic effects ofHolarrhena antidysentricaextracts: Results from a Longitudinal Meta-analysis

“…An important finding from this meta-analysis is the dose independence of HA extract to its observed glucose-lowering effect, that was not apparent from results of individual studies. However, this is not an uncommon observation, as dose independence of pharmacological effects of plant extracts were reported in studies with Musa AAA fruit (30), leaf extracts of K. Africana(31) and Camellia sinensis green tea extract(32). Possible explanation for this dose independent behaviour of HA extract could be the saturation of active transport of phytochemicals to cells in 100 – 600 mg/kg dose range with the excess amount getting excreted(33).…”

Ethnobotany, Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Activity of Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. (Bignoniaceae)

“…Bark decoction Laxative [27] Ash leaves mixed with honey High blood pressure [22] Fruits Mature fruit is used for treating wounds, abscesses, dressing wounds, skin cancer, reducing breast metastasis, ulcers, syphilis, rheumatism, fungal infections, boils, psoriasis, leprosy, venereal diseases and acne [3,14,22,23,27,35,42] Leaves Malaria, rheumatism, wounds, ulcers, retained placenta, venereal diseases and diarrhea [43] Fruit and bark (lesser extent) extracts Dysentery, hemorrhoids, constipation, wounds, ulcers, boils, abscesses, rheumatism, syphilis and gonorrhea [30,33] Fruit and root decoction…”

“…The authors diluted and tested the plant extracts across a concentration range of doses 5 mg/mL to 0.1 mg/mL, which increases the reliability of the results. The iridoids specioside and verminoside in K. africana are responsible for its antibacterial effects [42].…”

“…The use of K. africana fruit extracts as a treatment for diabetes is commonest among South African indigenous communities (Table 1), notwithstanding other parts of Africa and the world at large. Njogu et al [42] investigated the antidiabetic activity of K. africana aqueous and ethyl acetate extracts using male Swiss albino mice. Hyperglycemia was induced experimentally by a single-dose intraperitoneal administration of 186.9 mg/kg body weight of a freshly prepared 10% alloxan monohydrate [79].…”

Metabolome modulatory effects of Kigelia africana (Lam.) Benth. fruit extracts on oxidative stress, hyperlipidaemic biomarkers in STZ-induced diabetic rats and antidiabetic effects in 3T3 L1 adipocytes

“…Previous researches documented the use of Kigelia africana in the treatment of diabetes as an antidiabetic agent in animal models. [ 29,30 ] In addition, the pharmaceutical abilities of K. africana have been recognized and have witnessed a surge in research interest to even include being used as an antidiabetic agent. Akunyili and Houghton (1991) reported that the ethnomedicinal stem bark of K. africana is used in the treatment of diabetes.…”