ABSTRACT
Dioscoreophyllum cumminsii and Bryophyllum pinnatum are plants found to exhibit various medicinal properties. This study aimed at the evaluation of the anti-diabetic potential of the crude extracts and fractions of these two plants, as well as identification of the probable compounds responsible for the action.
The aqueous, methanol and ethanol extracts of both plants were screened for anti-diabetic activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. From this study, aqueous extract of D. cumminsii (AQEDC) and aqueous-methanol (1:1 v/v) extract of B. pinnatum (AMEBP) were selected for further studies. AQEDC and AMEBP were screened for phytochemicals and antioxidant activities. Both plants extracts were partitioned into n-hexane, dichloromethane and aqueous (or aqueous-methanol) fractions respectively. The anti-diabetic potential of the crude extracts and fractions were assessed. Glucose, cholesterol, triacylglycerol, total protein, albumin, urea, creatinine, insulin, and activities of ALT, AST ALP, alpha-amylase and lipase were assayed. Histopathological examination of the pancreas was carried out. Dose-response study and acute toxicological screening were performed on the two most active fractions. The possible active compounds were identified by GC-MS and HPLC. Data analyses were done using SPSS, while test for homogeneity amongst groups was performed using ANOVA, with significance set at p ≤ 0.05.
