The Effect of Anisopus mannii on Blood Glucose Levels of Normal and Diabetic Wistar Rats

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder of carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism is characterized by persistent elevation of fasting blood glucose due to insufficient or complete cessation of insulin synthesis or secretion and / or peripheral resistance to insulin action. One is considered diabetic when his/her fasting blood glucose level falls between 160-200mg/dl. Conventional drugs used for the management of diabetes mellitus are expensive and produce side effects on different patients, hence the need for a more natural remedy. Anisopus mannii stem was collected from a bush in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria and identified by a taxonomist in the Department of Biological Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Fifty-five adult male Wistar rats weighing 200-250g were procured from physiology department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University and used for the work; 25 were used for acute toxicity test and 30 were used for the experiment proper. The rats were acclimatized for two weeks before the experiment began. They were fed with commercial Grower’s Mash (Livestock feed, Nigeria Ltd.) and provided clean tap water ad-libitum. It was observed that, at 600mg/kg, the hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic effect of the Anisopus mannii stem aqueous extract was comparable to glibenclamide, a conventional drug used in managing diabetes mellitus, with a duration of action that extended for up to 18 hours. The possible mechanism of action of Anisopus mannii stem aqueous extract may be via increased peripheral utilization and decreased intestinal absorption of glucose in diabetic rats and, may be with stimulation of insulin release in normal rats. Isolation of the active principle(s) constitutes area of further research. Aqueous extract of Anisopus mannii stem have hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic activities and thus justifying its use by traditional herbalist in the management of diabetes mellitus. These effects could be attributed to the presence of saponins, flavinoids in the extract.