Effect of aqueous leaf extract of heinsia crinata on blood glucose levels in non-diabetic albino rats

This research was designed to study the effect of aqueous extract of Heinsia crinata commonly called “atama” on blood glucose level in non-diabetic rats. The extract and reference drug (glibenclamide) were administered intraperitoneally in dosage of 120,180,240 and 300mg per kilogramme body weight of rats, which were observed for 24hrs. Glucose estimation using the one touch glucometer at an internal of 2 hours into the eight hour and then at the 24 hour was done. The result showed a decrease in glucose level which was significant statistically at p< 0.05.The greatest reduction in blood glucose levels occurred between the 8th and 24th hours respectively and became noticeable after the 4th hour and more pronounced in the 120mg/Kg body weight which shows a decrease from 2.55±0.20Mmol/L to1.67±0.58 after the 24th hour. It also showed that with increase in dosage, there was a stimulatory effect of the extract which was not significant statistically at the p<0.05 level. This suggests that the hypoglycaemic effect of Heinsia crinata was not concentration but time dependent. The phytochemical analysis of the plant leaf extract both qualitatively and quantitatively revealled the presence of akaloid, saponnis, tannins flavonoid, terpenoids, carotenoids and anthraquinones. The dosage applied in the study did not show any toxic effect on the rats. The result therefore suggests that aqueous leaf extract of Heinsia crinata possess hypoglycaemic activity and so can be useful in the treatment of diabetes even as it is been used as food.