Phytochemical Screening and Hypoglycemic Effect of Leptadenia Hastata

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing at alarming rate globally and it is a major area of concern. The aqueous, ethanolic and n-hexane extracts of L. hastata leaf were screened for 20 phytochemicals while the aqueous leaf extract was further investigated for hypoglycemic activity. Eighteen albino rats were divided into six groups of three rats each; group I and II served as negative and positive controls while hyperglycemia was induced in groups III, IV, V and VI followed by oral administration of 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg body weight of L. hastata aqueous leaf extracts for up to four weeks respectively. Animals were then tested for blood glucose level at days 14 and 28 post extract administration respectively. Phytochemical analysis showed the presence of Saponin, Tannin, Phenol, Cardiac glycoside, Anthranol glycoside, Flavonoid, Alkaloid, Terpenoid, Diterpenes, Triterpenes, Reducing sugar, Phytosterol, Coumarin, Steroids, Quinone, Essential oil, Phlobatanin, Ketone, Pentose and Anthraquinone in the ethanolic leaf extract of L. hastata while not all phytochemical were identified when the aqueous and n-Hexane extracts were analyzed. A significant reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in blood glucose level at day 14 and day 28 of all the dosages administered were observed when compared with day 2 before the treatment. From the results, it can be concluded that the aqueous leaf extract of L. hastata demonstrated significant hypoglycemic and hypoglycemic effect in alloxan induced hyperglycemic rats possibly due to its bulk of secondary metabolites content. Our findings support its traditional use for managing diabetes mellitus cases.