Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Activities of Extract of Entandrophragma Cylindricum (Sprague) Leaves in Male Wistar Rats

Entandrophragma cylindricum (EC) is a tree with a widespread presence in various West African countries. It
has wide folkloric use as an anti-sickling, antimalarial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and is widely used traditionally in treating diabetes
across West Africa. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of the methanolic leaf extract of
Entandrophragma cylindricum (EC) in rats.
Materials and Methods: Induction of Diabetes mellitus was done by Streptozotocin (STZ) via intraperitoneal route injection. Animals
were apportioned into five groups (n=5) for contrasting the activity of EC at three EC doses (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg p.o.)
against the standard drug (Glibenclamide) and control groups. Rats having elevated glucose levels above 250 mg/dL were considered
diabetic and used for the study. Normoglycemic test, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), STZ-Induced diabetes, in-vitro antioxidant
properties of EC extract, and in vivo antioxidant property of the serum were assessed.
Results: Phytochemistry revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, deoxy-sugars, and
anthraquinones. The three doses of EC (150, 50, and 25 mg/kg) used in the study caused a significant decrease in blood glucose levels
in the STZ-induced diabetic rat model. Also, EC (150, 50, and 25 mg/kg) produced a significant (p< 0.001) increase respectively in the
body weight from day 0 to day 30 when compared with the untreated diabetic rat. Our results indicated that EC might be a potent free
radical scavenger, as it scavenged the 2,2 -diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, hydroxyl radical, and NO radicals in vitro. EC also
showed a significant anti-lipid peroxidative effect in vivo. Histologic analysis revealed the regenerative impact of EC on the β-cells of
diabetic rats.
Conclusion: Findings revealed that EC possess antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects