Hypoglycemic and safety evaluation of the aqueous leaf extract of Hyptis suaveolens in mice.

Abstract

The aqueous leaf extract of Hyptis Suaveolens leave was evaluated for possible hypoglycaemic and toxic effects of alloxan induced hyperglyceamia in Swiss albino mice. Haematological and serum biochemical parameters were determined. The acute toxicity result revealed that the H. Suaveolens extract caused no death of the mice even at 5000mg/Kg body weight. Daily oral administration of graded doses of (400- 1200mg/Kg body weight of the extract for 21 days reflected a reduction in the weights of all the treated animals with the highest reduction in the weight of the animals that received the highest dose (1200mg/kg body weight). An increase in weight was however recorded in the control animals. A reduction in the blood glucose level was observed with a significantly (P>0.05) lower level in the animals treated with 1200mg/kg body weight of extract. An elevation in the serum level of glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase was observed, which was dose dependent. The control had lower levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, glutamate pyruvate transaminase and glutamate oxaloacetate. There was no significant (P>0.05) reduction in the packed cell volume in the entire treated group. The total protein levels of the animals that received 1200mg/kg body weight were significantly (P<0.05) higher than that of the other treated groups and the control. The Hyptis Suaveolens plant appear therefore, to have some hypoglycemic activity and also relatively safe at lower doses.