In vivo antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of chloroform fraction of Nelsonia canescens Leaf in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder is responsible for the death of millions of people across the globe. Poor efficacy, high cost and adverse side effects associated with available synthetic anti-diabetic drugs have necessitate the need to search for anti-diabetic drugs of natural origin. Therefore, in this study, in vitro anti-diabetic and antioxidant activities of chloroform fraction of Nelsonia canescens were evaluated. Phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant and in vivo antidiabetic activity of the fraction were evaluated following standard protocols. Hyperglycemia was induced via intraperitoneal injection of 90 mg/kgbwt of alloxan monohydrate. Male Wister rats weighing between 120.20±15.25 g were randomly distributed into five groups consisting of five rats each and administered 50, 150 and 300 mg/kgbwt of the fraction, 5 mg/kgbwt of glibenclamide, and 2 mL/kgbwt of normal saline respectively. The quantitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phytochemicals (mg/100 g) such as phenols (1624 ± 1.12), flavonoids (994.18 ± 1.26), tannins (75.71 ± 0.21), saponins (1038.40 ± 2.00) and alkaloids (88.59 ± 1.84). The fraction exhibited antioxidant activity in a concentration-dependent manner with percentage inhibition of 68.20% at 100 µg/mL against DPPH radicals compared with ascorbic acid (89.28%). At 300 mg/kgbwt the fraction reduced the blood glucose concentration of rats to 119.00±2.70 mg/dL compared with 70.50±5.50 for the glibenclamide treated group after 21st day. The fraction administration resulted in lowered levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides and increased level of HDL-cholesterol. There was a significant increase (p