EVALUATION OF THE METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF MISTLETOE (TAPINANTHUS BANGWENSIS) LEAVES GROWN ON ORANGE TREES FOR THE PHYTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND ITS PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS ON STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETES MELLITUS IN LABORATORY ANIMALS

Mistletoe (Tapinanthus bangwensis) a semi-parasitic evergreen plant, that has been used traditionally in Nigeria and other parts of Africa as antihypertensive and antidiabetic agents. The aim of this research was to investigate the phytochemical properties of methanolic extract of Tapinanthus bangwensis (mistletoe) and its physiological effects on sugar levels in laboratory animals. The phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins and steroidal glycosides. Treatment with aqueous Tapinanthus bangwensis (mistletoe) extract at the dose of 500mg/kg body weight showed that the cocnentration of blood glucose levels in the diabetic test (treated rats) were significnatly reduced as compared to the diabetic control (untreated rats). In streptozotocin induced diabetic experimental animals (rats), maximum reduction in blood glucose levels was observed after fourteen (14) days of treatment with methanolic crude extraxt of Tapinanthus bangwensis (mistletoe). The result showed the concentrations of blood glucose in the diabetic test (treated) group was significantly reduced to 163.75 plus or minus 46.327 (P < 0.05) (mg/dl) after fourteen (14) days of administration of aqueous Tapinanthus bangwnesis (mistletoe) extract at 500 mg/kg body weight as compared to 377.50 plus or minus 0.50(mg/dl) of the diabetic control (untreated) group. The result indicated that the methanolic crude extract of Tapinanthus bangwensis leaves possess significant anti - diabetic activity.