Anti Diabetic And Toxicological Evaluation of Ethanol Root Extract of Mucuna pruriens IN Wistar Rats

ABSTRACT  

Mucuna pruriens is one of the many species of Nigerian medicinal plants which have a long history of use as remedies for various ailments such as diabetes mellitus, diarrhea and Parkinson's disease. In most countries, herbal medicines and related products are introduced into the market without any mandatory safety or toxicological evaluation. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the phyto-constituents of ethanol root extract of Mucuna pruriens, as well as to evaluate the efficacy and safety of its use in the treatment of diabetes mellitus by studying its various biochemical, hematological and histopathological effects using albino rats models. The quantities of individual volatile phytochemicals in the extract were determined using GC-FID system. Varying doses (100mg/kg, 150mg/kg and 200mh/kg) of the extract were intraperitoneally screened for their hypoglycemic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The safety of the extract was studied in control rats by carrying out 28 days intraperitoneal subacute toxicity studies with graded doses (125mg/kg, 250mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 750mg/kg body weight) of the root extract. Phytochemical examination revealed the presence of phenols, tannins, saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids, oxalates and phytates, Administration of Mucuna pruriens ethanol root extract significantly (p0.05) effect on any of the studied parameters at 125mg/kg and 250mg/kg body weight. However, there was significantly (p