Further evaluation of antihyperglycaemic activity of Hunteria umbellata (K. Schum) Hallier f. seed extract in experimental diabetes

In African traditional medicine, water decoction made from the dry seeds of Hunteria umbellata (K. Schum) Hallier f. is highly valued in the management of diabetes mellitus. In the present study, the antihyperglycaemic activity of the seed aqueous extract of Hunteria umbellate (K. Schum) Hallier f. ( HU) was investigated in alloxan-induced, high fructose- and dexamethasone-induced hyperglycaemic rats. Alloxan-induced, dexamethasone-induced and high fructose-induced hyperglycaemic rats were treated with single, daily oral administration of 1 mg/kg of glibenclamide, 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of HU in Groups III, IV, V and VI, for 14 days, 21 days and 8 weeks, respectively. The effects of these drugs on FBG, free plasma insulin levels, HbA 1c, serum TG and TC, and insulin resistance indices were investigated. Data generated in the current study showed that glibenclamide and graded oral doses of HU caused significant dose related ( p < 0.05,