The Journal of Phytopharmacology, 2020;9(3):155-163 DOI:10.31254/phyto.2020.9301

Research Article

Phytochemistry and antidiabetogenic property of aqueous extract of Azadirachta indica leaf in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Ezeigwe OC¹ , Ezeonu FC¹ , Nnadi NN¹

Ezeigwe OC,Ezeonu FC,Nnadi NN

1. Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received: 18th April, 2020 / Accepted: 29th May, 2020

Abstract

Aim: This study was carried out to determine the phytochemicals and the antidiabetogenic property of Azadirachta indica leaf in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats. Methodology: The quantitative phytochemical analysis and the glucose levels were checked using standard methods. Different group of rats were pre-treated for seven, fourteen, twenty-one and twenty-eight days before the induction of diabetes to know the extent of protection the extract will have on the rats by preventing the onset of diabetes. At the end of each treatment period diabetes was induced intraperitoneally using 50mg/kg bodyweight of Streptozotocin. Results: The percentage composition of the phytochemicals in the leaves of Azadirachta indica was as follows: Alkaloids (11.36%), cardiac glycosides (6.19%), flavonoid (5.34%), heamaglutinin (6.331%), oxalate (0.0204%), phenol (4.312%), phytate (4.600%), saponin (12.55%), steroid (0.2566) and tannin (6.17%). The result obtained revealed that there was a better protection for the group of rats pretreated for a period of three weeks and four weeks. The percentage decrease in weight after the induction of diabetes for the groups pre-treated for a period of twenty-one days at varying doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg bodyweight was 6.67%, 6.05% and 4.69% respectively which was significantly (p