The aqueous stem bark extract of Parkia filicoidea (Fabaceae) possesses anti-diabetic property

Abstract

Parkia filicoidea Oliv (Fabaceae) is a plant indigenous to Nigeria and traditionally used in the treatment of many ailments, one of which is diabetes mellitus. However scientific reports of its folkloric use as anti-diabetic plant are lacking. Therefore, this study is aimed at evaluating the blood glucose lowering effect of Parkia filicoidea on streptozotocin induced diabetes in rats. The aqueous stem bark extract was orally administered at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg doses. Diabetes was induced via an intra-peritoneal administration of streptozotocin 55 mg/kg in wistar albino rats. Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) a standard reference drug was used as positive control while distilled water (2ml/kg) served as the negative control. An untreated diabetic group was also kept for the period of the experiment. The extract, glibenclamide and distilled water were orally administered daily for 14 days, while the fasting blood glucose level was monitored prior to induction and on days 1, 7 and 14 following induction/treatment. Blood samples were obtained via the abdominal aorta following euthanisation from treated rats on the 14th day and analyzed for glucose and lipid profile. The extract at all doses produced a significant reduction (p<0.05) of the fasting blood glucose levels in the diabetic rats from day 1 to 14 compared with the untreated diabetic group. A significant reduction (p<0.05) of the total cholesterol and triglycerides level of diabetic rats was observed in the extract treated groups (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) in comparison with the untreated diabetic group. A significant (p<0.001) reduction in the low density lipoprotein was also observed in comparison with the untreated diabetic rats. In conclusion, Parkia filicoidea may be a good alternative to orthodox drugs in the management of diabetes mellitus, considering its glucose lowering potentials and positive impact it had on the lipid profile of diabetic rats.