Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSTIC EVALUATION AND ANTI-DIABETIC ACTIVITY OF CRUDE EXTRACT OF THE ROOT OF PLEIOCARPA MUTICA BENTH (APOCYNACEAE), ON ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Ikenna Chikeokwu, Theodora Chidinma Mba*, Obodozie Emmanuel Chukwubunna, and Emeagui Mmesoma Anita

ABSTRACT

Diabetes is a chronic illness that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin for the body or when the body cannot effectively use the produced insulin. Diabetes is the 9th leading cause of death and the number of people with the disease, amounts to about 10.6% of world adult population (2021), and it increases steadily. There is paucity of knowledge concerning the general pharmacological activity of Pleiocarpa mutica Benth (Apocynaceae), which is known to have numerous medicinal activities. The aim of this study is to investigate the pharmacognostic profile, anti-diabetic properties and phytochemical constituents of the crude extract of Pleiocarpa mutica. Toxicity study was carried out using modified Lorke’s method. Phytochemical and antidiabetic activity screening was done using standard methods. Diabetes was induced using alloxan monohydrate while Glibenclamide was used as the standard drug. The macroscopic evaluation revealed brown root crude drug, odourless smell when powdered, a rough texture when touched and a bitter taste when dried. The analytical evaluation of the powdered sample produces total ash value of (12.32), acid insoluble ash (6.38), water soluble ash (3.29), and moisture content (8.83), methanol extractive value (7.80), n- hexane extractive value (0.47) and chloroform extractive value (0.57) water extractive value (6.33). A significant reduction was observed in the blood sugar level both in the group adminstered crude extract as well as the standard drug. The result of the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of glycosides, alkaloid, flavonoids, saponins, reducing sugars, carbohydrates, cardiac glycoside and terpenoids in the crude extract. Pleiocarpa mutica Benth (Apocynaceae) root methanol extract contains many secondary metabolites which is responsible for the possed antidiabetic activity. Its activity is dose-dependent as compared with that of glibenclamide.

Keywords: Diabetes, Pleiocarpa mutica, glibenclamide, alloxan, hyperglycemia, Pharmacognostic evaluation.