Antidiabetic activity of the methanol and acetone extracts of twigs of Combretum molle in dexamathasone induced-insulin resistance in rats

Abstract

Combretum molle plant has applications in African traditional medicine against pain, diabetes mellitus and microbial diseases. In present study, we investigated the antidiabetic potential of the methanol and acetone extracts of twigs of C. molle in dexamethasone induced-insulin resistance diabetes mellitus. Single of extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered to normal and hyperglycemic animals. Insulin resistance was induced by daily sub-cutaneous injection of dexamethasone at dose of 1 mL/kg. The anti-diabetic effects were also evaluated, by measuring glyceamia, body weight, serum levels of lipid parameters and atherogenic indices and coronary artery risk. These studies revealed that oral administration of both extracts (methanol and acetone) to normal and hyperglycemic rats significantly suppressed the rise in blood glucose level, as glibenclamide. Oral treatment with dexamethasone injection for 10 days was associated with significant weight loss, hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and atherogenic indices. However, pretreatment with extracts significantly prevented increase in any of these measured parameters. Results of this study suggest that the hypoglycemic, anti-hyperlipidemic and anti-atherogenic effects of theses extracts are mediated through increased peripheral glucose uptake and improvements in insulin resistance, thus, validating its ethnomedical use in the traditional management of diabetes mellitus.