Ant-diabetic Effect of Two Medicinal Plants: Cataranthus roseus and Nauclea latifolium on Some Biochemical Indices of Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Albino Wistar Rats

The study was carried out to investigate the anti-diabetic effects of two medicinal plants Cataranthus roseus (C.R) and Nauclea latifolium (N.L) on some biochemical indices of streptozotocin induced diabetic albino wistar rats.

Methods: Ethanolic leaf extracts of C.R. and N.L. were given at daily doses of 500 mg/kg body weight in two divided doses each for 14 days. Thirty albino wistar rats were divided into five (5) groups, consisting of 6 rats each viz: Group 1(normal control), Group 2 (diabetic control), Group 3 (insulin treated), Group 4 (received N.L) and Group 5 (received C.R.).

Results: The results of the phytochemical screening contain flavonoids, polyphenols, and alkaloids were found to be present in appreciable amount in N.L while saponins and tannins were found in traceable concentration. Fasting blood glucose levels showed significant decrease (P<0.05) in all the test groups compared to diabetic control and closely related to the insulin treated groups. A significant increase (P<0.05) was observed in (TG) and (TC) concentration of all treated groups compared to the diabetic control group. The concentration of HDL was significantly increased while there was also a significant decreased (P<0.05) in VLDL and LDL in the diabetic control group and insulin group when compared to the normal control group, except for C.R treated group that shows a significant decrease compared with the diabetic control group. Enzymes activities were increased in insulin and diabetic groups. A significant reduction (P<0.05) was observed with the treated group of C.R. and N.L compared to the normal control group. Also, observed was a decrease in albumin level in groups treated with the extracts. Marked reduction in total protein level was observed in groups treated with extracts and insulin, compared to the normal control group. Serum concentrations of Na+, K+, Cl- in diabetic control groups showed a significant increase (P<0.05) compared to the normal control group. K+ concentration was observed to be significantly decreased (P<0.05) in all groups treated with extract and insulin compared to the normal control group.

Conclusions: The results demonstrated that C. roseus and N. latifolium have anti-diabetic and antihepatotoxic properties and could be potential herbal remedy in treating and managing diabetic conditions.