Anti-diabetic properties of the African mistletoe in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Journal/Book: J. Ethnopharmacol. 43 (1), 13-17. 1994;

Abstract: The African mistletoe, Loranthus bengwensis L. (Loranthaceae), has beenwidely used in Nigerian folk medicine to treat diabetes mellitus. Theaqueous extract or infusion (1.32 g/kg per day) of the leaves of thisplant parasitic on lemon, Citrus limon (L.) Brum f. (Rutaceae), guava,Psidium guajava L. (Myrtaceae) and jatropha, Jatropha curcas L.(Euphorbiaceae), respectively, were supplied ad libitum to separategroups of both non-diabetic and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats, astheir only source of fluid for a period of 28 days. The infusions ofmistletoe parasite on both lemon and guava trees significantly decreasedserum glucose levels in non-diabetic (P < 0.05) and diabetic (P < 0.001)rats, whereas that prepared from mistletoe parasitic on jatropha didnot. The data indicate that African mistletoe possesses significantanti-diabetic activity in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats; itsanti-diabetic activity appears to be highly dependent on the host plantspecies. Author.

Keyword(s): ANIMAL

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