The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2017;6(1):38-44 ; DOI:10.31254/phyto.2017.6106
Apigenin: A methanol fraction component of Newbouldia laevis leaf, as a potential antidiabetic agent
Chinyelu C. Osigwe1 , Peter A. Akah1 , Chukwuemeka S. Nworu1 , Festus B. C. Okoye2
1. Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
2. Department of Pharmaceutical & Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Agulu, Nigeria
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 10th February, 2017 / Accepted: 17th March, 2017
The leaves of Newbouldia laevis is traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus in southeast Nigeria. The apigenin isolated from the methanol fraction of dichloromethane/methanol (1:1) extract of the leaves was evaluated for antidiabetic and antihyperglycemic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats and on normal rats. Treatment of alloxan-diabetic rats with the compound (apigenin) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced blood glucose, and increased the liver and muscle glycogen content. The adrenaline-induced elevation of blood glucose of normal rats was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced by the isolated compound. These results suggest that apigenin may be the anti-diabetic principle in the leaves of Newbouldia laevis..
Antidiabetic, Newbouldia laevis, Apigenin, Glycogen, Adrenaline.
HOW TO CITE THIS ARTICLE
Osigwe CC, Akah PA, Nworu CS, Okoye FBC. Apigenin: A methanol fraction component of Newbouldia laevis leaf, as a potential antidiabetic agent. J Phytopharmacol 201 7 ; 6 ( 1):38 -44 .
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