Effects of Extracts of Triplochiton Scleroxylon (K. Schum) on Plasma Glucose and Lipid Peroxidation in Normal and Streptozotocin—Induced Diabetic Rats

T. scleroxylon also known as ‘obeche’ and used in some of the rural areas in Nigeria in the treatment of diabetes mellitus was investigated in this study for lipid peroxidative activities. Plasma glucose and malondialdehyde concentrations were determined in streptozotocin-induced diabetic and normal rats exposed (p. o) to aqueous and 50% ethanol extracts of T. scleroxylon at 200 mg/kg body weight for 28 days. Blood was collected periodically through the tails of rats and analyses carried out with the aid of methods requiring spectrophotometry. Both extracts significantly decreased plasma glucose and malondialdehyde concentrations in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats when compared to normal and diabetic controls (P < 0.05), respectively. However, aqueous extract demonstrated a greater reduction in plasma glucose and malondialdehyde concentrations than 50% ethanol extracts of T. scleroxylon. At 200 mg/kg body weight, the use of aqueous extract did not cause any adverse histological changes in the tissues investigated. However, 50% ethanol extract at the same dose caused tubular necrosis and mild fatty changes in the kidneys and liver respectively. The hearts of rats tolerated the extracts of T. scleroxylon throughout the experiment. Aqueous extract of T. scleroxylon was safer as a hypoglycaemic and anti-diabetic herb in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, respectively. It also exhibited a greater potential to protect against lipid peroxidation than 50% ethanol extract.