Alternative to Conventional Diabetic Management: The Antihyperglycaemic potential of an Ethyl Acetate Fraction Extract of Holarrhena floribunda

Aims: Antihyperglycaemic effects of an ethyl acetate fraction of the leaf extract of Holarrhena floribunda on normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Study Design: Healthy adult albino Wistar rats (weighing 100-150 g) were used for this study. The rats were divided into 5 groups (5 animals in each group).

Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Physiology, Pharmacology and Phytotherapy Côte d'Ivoire; School of Pharmacy, Ghana and 8 months.

Methodology: A hundred grams (100 g) of the powdered leaves was macerated in 96% ethanol and water. The antihyperglycaemic effect of the extract was studied in normoglycaemic and Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. The effect of the extract on the levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins and creatinine in STZ-induced diabetic rats was also investigated.

Results: The ethyl acetate fraction of the leaf extract of Holarrhena floribunda showed antihyperglycaemic effect after both short term and prolonged treatment of the diabetic rats.

The results indicate that the extract could moderate blood lipid abnormalities, which would be helpful to the prevention of diabetic complications through improving dyslipidemia.

Conclusion: The present study indicates that treatment with ethyl acetate fraction of Holarrhena floribunda ethanolic leaf extract has favourable effects on blood glucose levels, serum lipids and body weight.