Butanol fraction of Alstonia boonei De Wild. leaves ameliorate oxidative stress and modulate key hypoglycaemic processes in diabetic rats

Abstract

Objective

The effect of Alstonia boonei fractions on glucose homeostasis was investigated via in vitro enzyme inhibition activity, ex vivo glucose uptake assay, and in vivo methods in diabetic rats.

Methodology

A. boonei fractions were subjected to in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory assay and then ex vivo glucose uptake activity. The butanol fraction of the leaves (ABBF) was picked for the in vivo assay since it showed more activity in the initial tests conducted. ABBF was administrated via oral dosing to six-weeks old fructose-fed STZ-induced type 2 diabetic rats over a 5-week experimental period.

Results

ABBF treatment at a low dose of 150 mg/kg bw, significantly (p < .05) reduced blood glucose level, enhanced oral glucose tolerance ability, restored insulin secretion and hepatic glycogen synthesis as well as promoted islet regeneration than the high dose (300 mg/kg bw).

Conclusion

These results suggest that ABBF could be exploited as a therapeutic potential for treating T2D.

Keywords:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Alstonia boonei
• pancreas
• histopathology
• liver glycogen

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest relating to this work.

Data availability statement

All data used for the present study provided in the article. No third-party data was used.

Additional information

Funding

O.A.O would like to appreciate the Research office, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, and the National Research Foundation- the World Academy of Science (NRF-TWAS, 10.13039/100007648), South Africa for funding this study.