Effect of aqueous and methanolic extracts of Solanum aethiopicum Linn Gilo (Solanaceae) leaves on body weight and Glycemia in rats with alloxan-induced diabetes

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate effects of aqueous and methanolic leaves extracts of Solanum aethiopicum Linn Gilo on hyperglycemia and body weight in rats. Leaves were dried, crushed to obtain powder that were used to prepare extracts. The extracts underwent phytochemical screening and administered to alloxan diabetic transformed rats at 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight. Chemical analysis of extracts revealed presence of flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins, polyphenols, alkaloids, tannins and cardiac glycosides. Measurements of fasting blood glucose showed a hypoglycemiant effect of aqueous extracts which stood at -61.18% and -61.38% respectively for 200 and 300 mg/kg body weight against -59.50% and -60.60% for methanolic extracts. The reduction rate was -55.65% for glibenclamide, a reference antidiebetic drug. It could be concluded that aqueous and methanolic extracts of the leaves of Solanum aethiopicum Linn gilo, could be used to manage body weight under hyperglycemia and treatment of diabetes.