Effects of the Crude Methanolic Extract of Merremia tridentata (Convolvulaceae) Leaves on Blood Glucose Regulation In Vivo
Papa Biram SY, Alioune FALL, Madieye SENE, Aïssatou Alioune GAYE, Moustapha WADE, Bedie MBOW, Mouhamadou FOFANA.
Previous studies have highlighted the relevance of Merremia tridentata, a plant traditionally used in Senegal for diabetes management, in the regulation of blood glucose levels. The present study aimed to evaluate the antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic effects of the crude methanolic extract (CME) of M. tridentata leaves. Powdered leaves were subjected to methanolic maceration to obtain the CME, which was characterized by qualitative phytochemical screening. The extract was evaluated in normoglycemic rats, using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), and in experimentally induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of CME (50 mg/kg) did not significantly affect basal glycemia in normoglycemic rats (0.97 ± 0.05 vs. 0.77 ± 0.06 g/L). However, CME exerted a dose dependent antihyperglycemic effect during OGTT. At doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, the post glucose hyperglycemic peak was significantly reduced to 0.63 ± 0.04 and 0.73 ± 0.13 g/L, respectively, compared with 1.32 ± 0.26 g/L in control rats. In diabetic rats, repeated administration of CME (50 mg/kg/day) produced a marked reduction in blood glucose levels over 8 days. These effects may be attributed to the presence of phenolic compounds, particularly f lavonoids. The results support the traditional use of M. tridentata in diabetes management and warrant further mechanistic studies
