Getachew Moges* and Yohannes Mengesha
Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic health problems globally. There is no satisfactory effective therapy to cure diabetes mellitus. Currently available drugs for managing diabetes produce some serious side effects and have decreased efficacy over time. Calpurnia aurea and Bidens macroptera have been used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and other ailments in Ethiopia.
Objective: To investigate the antidiabetic activities of Bidens macroptera and Calpurnia aurea in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice.
Methods: Qualitative phytochemical screening tests were conducted to identify the chemical constituents of the plants. Healthy swiss albino mice of either sex (25 g-30 g) with no prior drug treatment were used for the present study. An acute toxicity study was carried out according to the 2008 organization for economic cooperation and development guideline 425. The effects of extracts of the plants on fasting blood glucose level and body weight of diabetic mice were evaluated using repeated dose antidiabetic activity test model. Fasting blood samples were collected from the control and test groups weekly to monitor blood glucose levels. Changes in body weight were also recorded weekly.
Results: Phytochemical screening of both plants indicated the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and phenolic compounds that might contribute to the antidiabetic activity. The medium Lethal Doses (LD50) of both extracts were higher than 2 g/kg body weight. The extracts also reduced the elevated blood glucose levels and improved the body weight loss of streptozotocin induced diabetic mice.
Conclusion: The methanolic extracts of Bidens macroptera and Calpurnia aurea revealed blood glucose lowering activity and improved body weight loss of diabetic mice over the 14 days treatment period.
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Journal of Pharmacognosy & Natural Products received 606 citations as per Google Scholar report
