Effect of Hunteria umbellata Methanolic Seed Extracts on Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Albino Rats

This study investigated the inhibitory effect of alpha-amylase, LD50 and antidiabetic properties of the methanolic seed extract of Hunteria umbellata and its effect on biochemical parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Twelve albino rats were used for the acute toxicity test, while thirty-five were divided randomly into seven groups of five in each group. Group 1 served as the normal control, Group 2 served as the diabetic control, Group 3 was treated with glycinorm at 50 mg/kg body weight, Group 4 was treated with extract at 200 mg/kg body weight, Group 5 was treated with 400 mg/kg body weight, Group 6 was treated with 600 mg/kg body weight and Group 7 was treated with 800 mg/kg body weight by oral administration. Diabetes was induced in albino rats by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at a single dose of 120 mg/kg body weight into groups 3 to 7 and was fed with methanolic seed extract of Hunteria umbellata for a period of 28 days. The oral acute (LD50) toxicity study showed that extract did not cause mortality in any experimental animals even at the highest dose of 5000 mg/kg. Body weight and glucose levels were measured on days 0, 7, 14,21 and 28. The animal were sacrificed on day 28. Serum biochemical parameters were analysed. Additionally, renal function tests, including potassium, sodium, and chloride levels and protein and albumin levels, were performed. The study also evaluated hematological parameters in the animals that were fed the methanolic seed extract of Hunteria umbellata. The animals that received different methanolic seed extracts of Hunteria umbellata showed significant (p<0.05) reductions in blood glucose, inhibitory effect of alpha-amylase, serum liver enzymes, renal function biomarkers, packed cell volume and platelet counts and improved body weight. Conclusively, from this study, it has been demonstrated that the methanolic seed extract of Hunteria umbellata may possess weight enhancing, inhibitory effect of alpha-amylase, antihyperglycemic, hepatoprotective, improved hematological values, and cell and organ protective activities. Therefore, it can be concluded that H. umbellata protects against streptozotocin-induced diabetes via regulation of blood glucose, inhibition of alpha amylase and reverse some biochemical parameters.