Comparative Antidiabetic Potentials of Leaf Extracts of Salacia lehmbachii, Tetracarpidium conophorum, Artocarpus heterophyllus and Glibenclamide in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus is a global public health disorder that threatens the economies of all nations, particularly developing countries. In this study the comparative effects of the antidiabetic potentials of Glibenclamide and three well known plants used by our locals in the management and prevention of diabetes was elucidated. DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan at a dose of 100 Mg/Kg bodyweight. The rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=5). Group 1 is the normal control, fed with normal saline orally daily for 3 weeks. Group 2 is diabetic control given normal saline orally for 3 weeks. Group 3 is diabetic rats treated with leaf extracts of T. conophorum at concentrations of 50 mg/kg body weight orally for 3 weeks. Group 4 is diabetic rats treated with leaf extracts of S. lehmbachii at concentrations of 50 mg/kg body weight orally for 3 weeks. Group 5 is diabetic rats treated with leaf extracts of A. heterophyllus at concentrations of 50 mg/kg body weight orally for 3 weeks and Group 6 is diabetic rats treated with Glibenclamide. The results revealed that on day 21, the difference between the rats treated with the leaf extracts were highly significant (P < 0.05) in relation to reversal of hyperglycemia when compared with the positive control group, although the reduction level of T. conophorum was better when compared with S. lehmbachii, A. heterophyllus and Glibenclamide (T.c < S.l < Gl < A.h = 88.1 Mg/dl < 91.1 Mg/dl < 91.3 Mg/dl < 123.2 Mg/dl). This may have occurred due to the regeneration of the damaged β-Pancreatic Islets cells by the plant extracts which contain phytochemicals that constitutes a protective factor against cardiovascular diseases by helping to increase the viability of the beta cells and reduction of muscle wasting and loss of tissue proteins in these rats exposed to alloxan or other oxidative stress. It is therefore highly encouraged to carry out more pharmacological and clinical studies on these plants which will help in production of a novel herbal drugs which will be affordable and readily available for the management of this ailment.