ISSN 2326-7283
African Journal of Internal Medicine ISSN: 2326-7283 Vol. 12 (1), pp. 001-007, January, 2024. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Efficacy of Rothmannia hispida Leaves Extract and Protamine-Zinc Insulin in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats: A Comparative Study
A. B. Antai1*, O. E. Ofem1, O. J. Nwosu2, S. O. Ukafia3, K. C. Iyadi4 and R. Nia1
1Department of Physiology, University of Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria.
2Department of Anatomy, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria.
3Department of Pharmacology, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
4Department of Pharmacology, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Accepted 26 June, 2023
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a metabolic disorder resulting from a defect in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Insulin and Rothmannia hispida are among the anti-diabetic agents. This study therefore sought to establish the relative potency of insulin and R. hispida leaves extract in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Four groups of 5 albino Wistar rats each were made diabetic with alloxan (150 mg/kg), then treated with either extract (100 mg/kg) or insulin (1 unit) for 7 days or left untreated. The terminal blood glucose level of diabetic extract treated (DET) (4.40 ± 0.52 mmol/L) and diabetic insulin treated (DIT) (4.10 ± 0.48 mmol/L) were significantly (P < 0.001) lower compared with diabetic untreated (DUT) (22.00 ± 0.00 mmol/L). Terminal urine glucose was only present in DUT (42.60 ± 6.14 mmol/L) . Terminal urine output was also significantly (P < 0.001) lower in DET (8.60 ± 1.17 ml) and DIT (8.80 ± 0.80 ml) compared with DUT (44.00 ± 1.48 ml). The DUT and DIT were also observed to have negative growth rates (-4.86 and -0.29 g/day respectively), whereas the controls and DET had positive growth rates (5.70 and 0.14 g/day respectively). Terminal blood glucose levels and urine output were not significantly different between DET and DIT. Therefore, 100 mg/kg body weight of the Rothmannia hispida leaves extract is equally as potent as 1 unit of protamine-zinc insulin as an anti-diabetic agent.
Key words: Insulin, Rothmannia hispida, diabetes mellitus, rats.