Abstract : Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder with high incidence of non-traumatic limb amputations, morbidity, and mortality. the study investigated the hypoglycemic properties of the methanolic leaf extract of Tetracapidium conophorus on alloxane-induced diabetic rat. Diabetes was induced in Wister rat using 150mg/kg of alloxan. Groups A and B were the test groups and received 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg of methanolic leaf extract respectively through the oral route, while Group C received glibenclamide. Group D served as the diabetic negative control. The leaf extract significantly reduced the blood sugar from 569.50±10.43 mg/dl to 368.60 ±22.93mg/dl in 2hours compared to the fasting blood sugar (FBS) level of 499.20 ± 25.4mg/dl, a positive control of 490.20 ±9.75 mg/dl and a negative control of 556.40 ± 29.69 mg/dl (p<0.05). In 4 hours, there was a significant reduction of blood glucose to 340.20 ±46.93mg/dl with same dose of 200mg/kg (p<0.01). The RBS dropped to 306.20±30.96mg/dl in 2hours and 216.00±28.58mg/dl in 4hours respectively at a dose of 400mg/kg when compared to a fasting level of 526.60 ±11.36mg/dl (p<0.01) and positive control of 490.20 ±7.75mg/dl. A 200mg/kg dose of the extract in sub-acute study showed a significant reduction of RBS on the 8th day with a value of 378.00 ±24.64mg/dl when compared to a negative control of 569.50 ± 10.48mg/dl. Administration of 400mg/kg caused a reduction of 262.75 ±66.58mg/dl when compared to a positive control of 462 25 ±27.51mg/dl and a negative control of 569.50 ±10.43mg/dl (p<0.01). The result indicated that the methanolic leaf extract of Tetracarpidium conophorum has hypoglycemic effects in alloxane induced diabetic rat.

Keyword : Diabetes, leaf extract, Tetracarpidium conophorum, rat, phytochemical constituents, blood sugar