Effect of the fractions of Tamarindus indica L. (Caesalpiniaceae) on experimentally induced hyperglycaemic wistar rats

Abstract

Introduction: World Health Organization defines diabetes mellitus as a metabolic disorder of multiple etiologies, characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia with disturbances of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. Objective: The stem-bark extract of Tamarindus indica L. was investigated for its hypoglycaemic action on experimentally induced hyperglycaemic Wistar rats. Methodology: A single dose of alloxan (150 mg/kg IP) and fructose (10% w/v ad libitum for 20 days). LD₅₀ and phytochemical screening were conducted using Lorkes method 1983 and Trease and Evans 1989 respectively. Results : The oral LD₅₀ of the extract was found to be 3,800 mg/kg. The fractions of the extract lowered the elevated blood glucose significantly with the 1000 mg/kg dose at the 8^th, 16^th, and 24^th hours. The 500 mg/kg dose also lowered the glucose level throughout the study but only significantly at the 1^st, 16^th, and 24^th hours. The ethyl acetate fraction also lowered the elevated blood glucose with all the doses used. The 250 mg/kg dose did not show significant decrease in the blood sugar concentration. Conclusion: The fractions of the stem-bark extract of T. indica L. significantly lowered elevated blood glucose concentration (BGL) in alloxan and fructose-induced hyperglycaemic Wistar rats.