ABSTRACT

Diabetes is a global public health crisis that threatens the economies of all nations, particularly developing countries. It is generally characterized by hyperglycaemia and hyperlipidaemia culminating in severe morbidities. This study aimed to assess the effects of Cissampelos owanrensis on glucose absorption in alloxan-induced diabetic male Wistar rats. Twenty (20) adult Wistar rats were divided into four (4) groups of five rats each (n=5). Groups 1 and 2 served as the control groups and group 3 and 4 were induced with diabetes by an intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (40mg/kg). The normoglycaemic groups (1 and 2) and the alloxan-induced diabetic groups (3 and 4) were treated with 300mg/kg of Cissampelos owanrensis. The fasting glucose level of the animals was monitored at 1 hour, 3 hours and 4 hours. At the end of the experiment the rats were sacrificed by cervical dislocation, blood samples were centrifuged to obtain the serum for biochemical analysis. The duodenum, jejunum and ileum were excised for biochemical study. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS statistical tool and expressed as mean±SEM. Results show that fasting blood glucose levels of diabetic rats was reduced significantly on administration of 300mg/kg of the plant extract(502.33±5.57 after 1 hour, 427.33±7.67 after 3 hours, 298.33±10.91 after 4 hours). In conclusion, benzene fractions of Cissampelos owanrensis demonstrated significant reduction in glucose absorption across the intestinal epithelium.