Phytochemical Screening and Anti-Diabetic Effects of the Hydroalcoholic Seed and Leaf Extracts of Pot Cassia

Cassia tora

Abstract

Because of the differences in lifestyle of many individual, ranging from consumption of sugar more than the recommended quantity of about 40-65% of daily food consumption, to neglecting body exercise and fitness, Type 2 diabetes mellitus, (T2DM) had become a global health challenge of economic importance over the years. This kind of lifestyle had hampered with the activities of carbohydrate metabolism. This work studied the kinds of phytochemical constituents of the seed and leaf extracts of Cassia tora and their ability to lower blood glucose level. This was carried out using 24 healthy Wistar rats grouped into 4 groups. Group I injected with the two separate extracts (seed and leaf) at 100mg/kg, Group II at 200mg/kg, Group II received metformin (standard drug) while Group IV received normal saline, serving as control. The effects were compared across the groups by measuring the blood glucose level using glucometer before and after each treatment. Phytochemical analysis of the seed and leaf extracts of C. tora showed the presence of nine (9) phytochemical agents; Alkaloid, phenol, phlobatannins, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, volatile oil, tannins and protein in varying proportions. Higher in concentrations are alkaloid, flavonoid, saponins and tannins while the least was phlobatannins. Both extracts from the plant showed higher lowering effects at 200mg/kg than 100mg/kg. Meanwhile, at 100mg/kg, higher lowering effects than metformin was observed. Invariably, administration of at least 200mg/kg of the extracts has a high anti-diabetic effects. With further pharmacological studies on the actual chemotherapeutic index, the seed and leaf extracts of C. tora is highly recommended for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.