IN VITRO ANTIDIABETIC AND IN VIVO ANTIDIARRHEAL ACTIVITY OF Oncoba Spinosa ROOTS

Abstract

ABSTRAC T The different extracts of Oncoba spinosa (Flacourtiaceae) were screened for in vitro antidiabetic activity. Of all the extracts tested, ethanolic extract showed highest α-amylase inhibition ranging from 8.64+0.66% to 79.94+0.65% and α-glucosidase inhibition ranging from 14.12+0.51% to 78.68+0.36% when studied at concentrations 62.5-1000μg/mL. The ethanolic extract was subjected to antidiarrheal activity and diarrheal severity was reduced significantly by 15.81% in 100mg/kg group, 30.45% in 200mg/kg group and 74.37% in 400mg/kg group in castor oil induced diarrhea model. In castor oil induced enteropooling, the extract at doses 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg showed 33.46% and 42.44% inhibition of intestinal accumulation. In the charcoal meal test, the distance travelled by charcoal meal was significantly reduced by the extract at doses 200mg/kg and 400mg/kg (P<0.01). The overall results tend to suggest the antidiabetic and antidiarrheal activities of Oncoba spinosa.