International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAuthors: Simon Peter Okiror, Fareed Kuteesa, Francis Omujal, George William Muyombya
Abstract: Zanthoxylum chalybeum stem bark and Azadirachta indica root bark are used by communities in Africa and Asia to manage diabetes mellitus. This study determined the anti-hyperglycemic effect of Zanthoxylum chalybeum ethanolic stem bark extract and Azadirachta indica ethanolic root bark extract in Alloxan monohydrate-induced diabetic mice. The plants were obtained from Usuk sub-county, Eastern Uganda and extracts prepared and study done at Natural Chemotherapeutics Research Institute, Kampala, Uganda. Mice were divided into Zanthoxylum chalybeum (n=8), Azadirachta indica (n=8), combination of Zanthoxylum chalybeum and Azadirachta indica (n=8), normal control (n=8), positive control groups (n=8) and untreated diabetic (n=8). Diabetes was induced in each mouse in experimental groups by a single dose intraperitoneal injection of Alloxan monohydrate at 150mg/kg body weight. The plant extracts were administered orally to the experimental mice at dosages of 200mg/kg body weight for 28 days. The negative control group was left untreated while the positive control group was treated orally with Metformin (10mg/kg body weight). The effect of the extracts on blood glucose of the individual extracts and when combined were determined in all mice in the experimental and positive control groups. The combined extracts of Zanthoxylum chalybeum and Azadirachta indica (1:1) exhibited significant antidiabetic activity compared to when the extracts were used individually (P<0.05). These results suggest that the ethanolic stem bark extract of Zanthoxylum chalybeum combined with extracts of Azadirachta indica root bark possesses synergistic antihyperglycemic activity. This study thus corroborates the traditional use of the plants for management of diabetes. However, further research is required to explore different dosages and the possible mechanism of action of Zanthoxylum chalybeum and Azadirachta indica in the treatment of Diabetes mellitus.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.18067366
