O.D., Abu, I.O., Onoagbe and I., Ojo
Background and Objective: What distinguishes a poison from a remedy is dose. The safety of plant-derived bioactive compounds has become a global concern. The present study was carried out to determine effective dose for ethanol extract of Dialium guineense stem bark.
Methods: Adult male Wistar rats (n = 30) weighing 160 – 180 g (mean weight = 170 ± 20 g) were randomly assigned to six groups of five rats each. Ethanol extract of the plant stem bark was obtained using cold maceration method. The rats received varied doses of extract (200 - 2000 mg/kg body weight, bwt) orally for 28 days. Concentration of fasting blood glucose (FBG) was used as the therapeutic index.
Results: Ethanol extract of D. guineense stem bark significantly reduced the FBG levels of normal Wistar rats (p < 0.05). The graded and quantal dose response curves showed that 1000 mg/kg bwt was effective in reducing the blood glucose of rats.
Conclusion: These results indicate that ethanol extract of D. guineense stem bark possesses hypoglycemic effect at a relatively good dose.
