The antidiabetic activities of the methanolic root bark extract of Afzelia africana in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

The methanolic root bark extract of Afzelia africana was tested for antidiabetic activities in-vivo. The acute toxicity of the extract was tested in mice and the result showed that the extract has low toxicity. Investigation on the phytochemical constituents of the plant extract revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, steroids and saponins. The plant extract was tested for antidiabetic activities in alloxan - induced diabetic mice at doses of 62.5 mg/kg, 125 mg/kg, 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg over a period of 6 hours. The activity was found to be both dose and time dependent. Optimum activity was noted at the dose of 250 mg/kg and 6 hours post treatment. Distilled water (10 ml/kg) and glibenclamide (2 mg/kg) were used as negative and positive controls respectively. The extract showed antidiabetic activity which did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) from glibenclamide. Column and thin layer chromatography revealed the presence of 5 fractions in the plant extract out of which fraction 3 was found to be active.