Anti-diabetic potential of aerial parts of Galium tricornutum   (Dandy) Rubiaceae

Purpose: To evaluate the anti-diabetic potential of methanol extract of the aerial parts of Galium tricornutum (Dandy) in diabetic rats.
Methods: The methanol extract of the aerial parts of Galium tricornutum was first subjected to acute toxicity studies. Thereafter, the effect of the extract on oral glucose tolerance was determined. In addition, the effect of the extract on fasting blood glucose, as well as serum lipid profile, urea, creatinine, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and protein were investigated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Results: No acute toxicity were observed in the rats after administration of the plant extract up to a dose of 2000 mg/kg. The effect of the extract on glucose tolerance test was significant from 30 to 180 min after treatment. In the diabetic rats, the extract showed significant (p < 0.05) anti-hyperglycemic activity at 400 mg/kg. It also led to significant increases in body weight and HDL-cholesterol, and significant reductions in serum LDL, triglycerides and transaminases (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: These
results indicate that the aerial parts of G. tricornutum possess significant antidiabetic potential.

Keywords
Diabetes; Galium tricornutum; Glibenclamide; Glucose tolerance tes; Lipid profile