Antidiabetic effects of fractions of methanol extract of Solanum macrocarpon Linn. On streptozotocin – induced diabetic male Wistar rats

Solanum macrocarpon Linn. (SM) is a well eaten vegetable and prominent for treatment of diseases in folk medicine. This study evaluated the antidiabetic potentials of fractions of methanol extract of Solanum macrocarpon in streptozotocin – induced diabetic male Wistar rats. Diabetes mellitus (DM) was induced in Wistar rats by single (i.p.) dose of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) and diabetic rats were administered the extract(s) once daily for four weeks. The effect was determined on body weight (BW), blood glucose concentration (BGC), oral glucose tolerance test (OGGT), heamatological indices and lipid profiles. Also, the pancreatic level of oxidative stress and histopathology were determined. Treatment with extracts significantly decreased the elevated BGC, and improved OGTT and BW of diabetic rats. Heamatological indices, lipid profiles and pancreatic level of oxidative stress were augmented to near normalcy in diabetic rats administered the extract. Histopathology slides showed improvement in structural integrity of diabetic rats upon treatment with the extracts. The findings of this study have clearly shown that Solanum macrocarpon possess antidiabetic ability and could be used in the management of diabetes mellitus.