Antidiabetic activity of hydroalcoholic extract of the root of Croton macrostachys in Streptozotocin induced diabetic mice

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is major endocrine metabolic disorder of multiple etiologies characterized by chronic hyperglycemia; with disturbances of carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. Despite the introduction of hypoglycemic agents, diabetes and the related complications continue to be a major medical problem. Therefore, research for new antidiabetic drugs continues to be an area of concern. Streptozotocin induced diabetic model was used to evaluate oral antidiabetic activity of hydroalcoholic root extract of Croton macrostachys. Oral administration of the root extract of the plant did not exhibit toxicity at dose of 5 g/kg. The extract had hypoglycemic activity and improved glucose tolerance of the mice after acute oral glucose solution load. The extract had very significant antidiabetic activity compared to control groups in dose dependent manner. The highest dose, Croton macrostachys at 300 mg/kg produced antidiabetic activity comparable to the standard drug, Glibenclamide.  Hydroalcoholic root extract of plant possess very significant antidiabetic activity. Hypoglycemic activity of the extract may be due to insulin mimetic or insulin secretagogue components present in the extract. It is recommended to further investigate the plant with solvent and bioguided fractionations to identify possible lead compounds for drug development.