Beneficial effect of aqueous Stem Bark Extracts of Strychnos henningsii Gilg in Streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetic wistar rats

Abstract

Strychnos henningsii Gilg is commonly used in Southern Africa herbal medicines for the management of diabetes mellitus. The beneficial effect of the aqueous extract of S. henningsii at the dose of 125, 250 and 500 mg kg-1 was investigated on some biochemical and hematological parameters in diabetic rats after 15 days of experimental periods. Significant decrease of blood glucose levels were found after oral administration of the extract at the dose of 250 mg kg-1 (10.03 mmol L-1) followed by 500 mg kg-1 (7.60 mmol L-1) and then 125 mg kg-1 (6.70 mmol L-1). The extract did not alter the levels of cholesterol, uric acid and kidney body weight ratio. In addition, there was no significant effect on the levels of basophils, monocytes and eosinophil but appreciably increased White Blood Count (WBC), neutrophils and lymphocyte at 500 mg kg-1. Moreover, the level of triglyceride, calcium, urea and liver body weight ratio was drastically reduced at certain doses. Treatment of diabetic rats with these extracts significantly reduced the activities of Aspartate Transaminase (AST) and Alanine Phosphatases (ALP). Whereas the levels of hemoglobin (Hb), Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Mean Concentration Volume (MCV), Red Blood Cell (RBC), Mean Concentration Hemoglobin (MCH), total protein, Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT), albumin and globulin were significantly increased as compared with diabetic rats. The present study indicated potent antidiabetic and antilipidemic properties of S. henningsii extract and its capability of regularizing some abnormalities associated with pathophysiologic condition of diabetes mellitus. © 2011 Asian Network for Scientific Information.