Anti-Diabetic Activities of Hydro-Methanolic Crude Extract and Solvent Fractions of Heteromorpha arborescens (Apiaceae) Leaves in Mice

Abstract

Background

Heteromorpha arborescens has been used to treat diabetes traditionally. There was no in vivo study to support the claim. This study aimed to confirm anti-diabetic activity of 80% methanol in water extract and solvent fractions of H. arborescens leaves in mice.

Methods

H. arborescens leaves were macerated and extracted in 80% methanol in water. Hydro-methanol extract of H. arborescens leaves were tested in mice models. Overnight fasted mice were randomly divided into five groups for normoglycemic and glucose-loaded models as a negative control, positive control, and three tested groups, whereas, in streptozotocin-induced diabetic models, the mice were grouped into six groups each comprised six mice: diabetic negative control and normal negative control groups treated with 10 mL/kg distilled water, diabetic positive control group treated with Glibenclamide 5 mg/kg and three diabetic tested groups treated with extract at 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg doses. A one-way ANOVA was performed to analyze the data, and the post hoc Tukey’s test was utilized for multiple comparisons. The P-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Hydro-methanol extract of H. arborescens leaves at 400 mg/kg in normoglycemic mice significantly lowered blood glucose levels (BGLs) (P< 0.01). Mice with oral glucose-loaded test lowered BGLs at dosages of 200 mg/kg (P < 0.05) and 400 mg/kg (P < 0.01) respectively. Single-dose of ethyl acetate, n-hexane fractions and hydro-methanol extract at 100 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg reduced BGLs (P < 0.05, P < 0.001, and P < 0.01) respectively. BGL drops in diabetic mice given daily repeated doses of 200 mg/kg of hydro-methanol extract and 400 mg/kg of ethyl acetate fraction (P < 0.001). Diabetic mice gained weight at a 400 mg/kg hydro-methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01) respectively. Hydro-methanol extract and ethyl acetate fraction and at 200 mg/kg decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein and increased high-density lipoprotein (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

80% methanol in water extract and solvent fractions of H. arborescens leaves showed anti-diabetic effects and significantly reduced hyperlipidemia in diabetics, this study supported the traditional usage of H. arborescens for treating diabetes; however, species variation could also limit such a straightforward extrapolation of the findings of this study in humans.

Keywords:

• antidiabetic
• Heteromorpha arborescens
• in vivo

Abbreviations

AACE, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists; ADA, American Diabetes Associations; ANOVA, Analysis Of Variance; BGL, Blood Glucose Level; DKA, Diabetic Keto Acidosis; DM, Diabetes Mellitus; DMSO, Dimethyl Sulfoxide; DR, Diabetic Retinopathy; FPG, Fasting Plasma Glucose; HDL, High density lipoprotein cholesterol; HHS, Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State; IGT, Impaired Glucose Tolerance; LDL, Low Density Lipoprotein cholesterol; OECD, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; OGTT, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test; TC, Total cholesterol; TG, Triglyceride; WHO, World Health Organization.

Data Sharing Statement

The corresponding author can be contacted for access to the datasets that were used and/or analyzed for this study.

Ethical Approval

The Basel Declaration on Laboratory Animal Welfare, the ICLAS Ethical Guidelines, and the care and use of research-based designs were all followed during the execution of the experiments.^67,68 The Department of Pharmacology Ethical Review Committee at the University of Gondar’s School of Pharmacy granted authorization for the research under the reference number SoP4/102/13. The research was finished, and the animals received the appropriate care.

Acknowledgments

The University of Gondar’s approval of the ethical clearance, aid with the laboratory facilities, and identification of experimental plant are all greatly appreciated by the authors.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.