Phytochemical Constituents and Hypoglycemic Effects of Methanol Extract of Vitellaria paradoxa Stem Bark in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Vitellaria paradoxa, commonly known as Shea butter tree is a highly medicinal plant which is locally abundant in Nigeria. This study aims to investigate the phytochemical constituents and hypoglycemic activity of methanol extract of Vitellaria paradoxa stem bark in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The phytochemical screening was carried out using standard procedures and diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal dose of 120mg/kg body weight of alloxan and 6hrs later, the animals were kept on 20% glucose for 24hrs.The result showed these phytoconstituents; alkaloids, flavonoids, anthraquinones, saponins, tannins, phlobatanins and cardiac glycosides were present. The oral administration of extract at a dose of 500mg/kg body weight showed a significant reduction (P<0.05) in the blood glucose level of diabetic rats from 168.75±10.61 - 95.25±1.65 while the standard drug (Glibenclamide 0.5mg/kg body weight) decreased Fasting blood glucose levels from 162.25±5.36 - 86.25±3.40. There was a significant increased (P>0.05) in blood glucose level of induced diabetic but not treated rats from 192.50±8.86 to 195.25±12.96 compared to non-induced but treated with extracts from 101.25±3.73 to 81.00±5.98. These results suggest that the extract may possess some anti-hyperglycemic potentials.