Afr J Med Med Sci. 1999 Sep-Dec; 28(3-4): 171-5.

The antihyperglycamic effect of Telfaria occidentalis in mice.

Aderibigbe AO, Lawal BA, Oluwagbemi JO.

Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria.

The hypoglycemic effect of Telfaria occidentalis was studied in mice. The effect of the aqueous extract of the leaves on blood glucose level were assessed in normoglycaemic, glucose induced hyperglycaemic and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic mice. The aqueous extract given orally in 1 g/kg did not alter the blood glucose level in normoglycaemic mice. In glucose-induced hyperglycemia, antidiabetic activity was seen when the extract and glucose were administered simultaneously and when the extract was giving to the mice 60 minutes before glucose. In STZ-induced diabetic mice, a reduction in the blood glucose level was seen from day two of the administration of the extract. The hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract was compared with that of an oral dose of chlorpropamide (200 mg/kg) under the same conditions. The results of this study indicate that the aqueous extract of the leaves of Telfaria occidentalis possess hypoglycaemic activity.