Hypoglycemic potency of Selected Medicinal Plants in Nigeria

Abstract

A preliminary phytochemical screening and hypoglycemic activities of the ethanolic extracts of phyllanthus niruri, fruits of Solanum melogena var esculentus, leaves and fruits of Solanum Xanthocarpum were investigated. All plant extracts were found to contain alkaloids and tannins, while saponin was found in all plants except Phyllanthus niruri. Coumarin was detected only in Solanum xanthocarpum (leaves), while anthrancenosides was detected in Phyllanthus niruri Solanum xanthocarpum (fruit) only. Hypoglycemic activity of all plants extracts were deter mined by postprandial glucose test after administration of extracts at 10mg/100g body weight to adult albino rats. Postprandial plasma glucose level was measured at 30 minutes intervals for 2 hours. The result of this study showed that all extracts had hypoglycemic activity with Solanum melongena var esculentus having the highest activity. Thus, the plants may be effective in the management of hyperglycemia may be attributed to the phytochemicals present in them plants..