The effect of Kigelia Africana fruit extract on blood glucose in diabetes induced mice

Abstract

Objective: To determine the effect Kigelia africana fruit extract has on blood glucose levels of diabetes mice and its phytochemical profile Specific objectives: 1. To determine Kigelia africana fruit extracts’ effect on blood glucose levels when used alone and concomitantly with Glibenclamide on mice. 2. To identify the basic phytochemical composition of the fruit extract. Design: An analytical study involving aqueous and organic extraction of the fruit, conducting phytochemical analysis of the extract and treating diabetes induced mice bred in Physiological Sciences Department of University of Zambia with the extract. Setting: Departments of Chemistry and Physiological Sciences of the University of Zambia Method: 35 albino mice (18-30g) allocated in 5 groups of 7 according to treatment. Group 1- Kigelia fruit extract 1000mg/kg, Group 2- Kigelia fruit extract 500mg/kg, Group 3- Glibenclamide 0.25 mg/kg, Group 4- Kigelia fruit extract 500mg/kg and Glibenclamide 0.25mg/kg and Group 5- Normal Saline. Aqueous and organic extracts were collected from fruit sample by boiling and maceration respectively and tested for tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, glycosides and steroids. Main outcome measures: RBS sugar of below 8mmol/l. Results: The results showed a greater reduction in blood glucose of mice after treatment with Kigelia extract 1000mg/kg compared to Kigelia 500mg/kg [(5.3 +/- 0.5mmol/l) vs (6.3+/- 0.6mmol/l), (p= 0.005)]. Further, Glibenclamide 0.25mg/kg showed less reduction in blood glucose than Kigelia 1000mg/kg [(7.4+/-0.9mmol/l) vs (5.3 +/- 0.5), (p= 0.00)]. The mean blood glucose levels were lower in mice that received Kigelia extract than those that received both Kigelia extract and Glibenclamide [(5.3 +/- 0.5mmol/l) vs (7.8 +/- 0.6 mmol/l), (p=0.00)] The fruit extract tested positive for Tannins, Saponins, Flavanoids, Alkaloids, Glycosides and Steroids. Conclusion: Findings of this study indicate that Kigelia africana fruit extract causes reduction in blood glucose of diabetes induced mice and gives better results when used alone than in concomitant use with Glibenclamide. The study also indicates that the fruit extract has alkaloids, saponins, steroids, glycosides, tannins and flavonoids.