ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF THE METHANOL EXTRACT OF HYPOESTES CANCELLATA NEES (ACANTHACEAE) ON ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

Aim: This study evaluated the acute toxicity and antidiabetic activity of Hypoestes cancellata, a
member of the Acanthaceae family.
Place and Duration of the Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology
and Toxicology, Ahmadu Bello University from March to April, 2023.
Methodology: The shade dried plant material was size reduced and macerated with 70% aqueous
methanol to obtain the extract. Organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD)
guideline 425 was used to carry out the acute toxicity study of the extract. Diabetes was induced
in rats by administration of a single dose of alloxan monohydrate at a dose of 170mg/kg body
weight of the rats and only rats with blood glucose levels 11.1mmol/L or above were selected for
the study. The rats were randomly divided into five groups and a group of normal rats each
consisting of six rats. All groups were treated daily for four weeks while blood glucose levels were
determined weekly.
Results: At a limit dose of 5000mg/kg, the methanol extract of H. cancellata was found to be
relatively safe. The methanol extract of H. cancellata at all doses significantly reduced blood
glucose level of diabetic rats within the 28 days of treatment. Percentage reduction in blood glucose
at day 28 of treatment for different groups were 34%, 71% and 61% for 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg
body weight respectively. Treatment with methanol extract of H. cancellata produced a decrease
in total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and triglycerides at various
doses of the extract though statistically insignificant at P value ≤0.05.
Conclusion: The 70% methanol extract of H. cancellata significantly reduced blood glucose levels
in alloxan induced diabetic rats within 28 days of treatment.