Evaluation of the Phytochemical Composition and Hypoglycaemic Activity of Methanolic Leaves Extract of Costus afer in Albino Rats.
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Date
2011-01
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Abstract
Medicinal plants are reservoirs of natural products with anti-diabetic potentials. In the
present study we screened Costus afer for the presence of plant products and to study the
effects of the methanolic leaf extract of the plant on fasting blood glucose of normal rats.
Adult male wistar strain albino rats were given graded doses (200-800mg/kg) of the
methanolic leaf extract of Costus afer, standard hypoglycaemic drug glibenclamide or a
combination of the two in the presence or absence of oral glucose feeding. Fasting blood
glucose was monitored for 6 hours post administration of drugs. Phytochemical studies
revealed relative amounts of alkaloids, flavanoids, tannins, phenols, glycosides and
terpenoids. Costus afer showed significant hypoglycaemic effect (p<0.05) comparable with
the standard drug. However, the plant extract did not reduce blood glucose in glucose fed
rats. Also, a combination of plant extract and glibenclamide caused a significant reduction in
fasting blood sugar of both glucose loaded and unloaded rats. The results validate the use of
Costus afer as a hypoglycaemic plant in native medicine. These effects could be attributed
to its phytochemical constituents. Costus afer could be a promising plant for the
development of anti-diabetic drugs.
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Keywords
Hypoglycaemia, phytochemicals, diabetes mellitus, Costus afer
Citation
Momoh S, Yusuf O W, Adamu M M, Agwu C O C, Atanu F O. Evaluation of the Phytochemical Composition and Hypoglycaemic Activity of Methanolic Leaves Extract of Costus afer in Albino Rats. British Journal of Pharmaceutical Research. 2011 Jan; 1(1): 1-8.