HYPOGLYCAEMIC EFFECT OF SAPONIN FROM THE ROOT OF GARCINIA KOLA (BITTER KOLA) ON ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Garcinia kola Heckel is a species of flowering plant in the Guttiferae family. The plant has been reffered to as a ‘wonder plant’ because every part of it has been found to be of medicinal importance. In this present study, saponin extract from the root of Garcinia kola was evaluated for antidiabetic activity in Wistar albino rats. Diabetes was induced in rats by single intraperitonial injection of alloxan(150mg/kg body weight). Three days after alloxan induction, the hyperglycemic rats were treated with metformin, a standard antidiabetic drug and saponin from the root of Garcinia kola orally at the dose of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight daily for 7 days. The fasting blood glucose levels were measured on the 3rd and 7th day during the 7 days treatment. Serum biochemical parameters such as  Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Aspartate Transaminase (AST),  Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), and total protein were estimated. The saponin extract at the dose of 100mg/kg produced the maximum reduction of 35.98% in blood glucose after the 3rd day treatment as compared to the 31.26% observed for metformin. 200mg/kg dose of saponin produced a maximum reduction of about 72.67% after the 7th day treatment as compared to 35.84% observed for metformin. The present study infers that saponin extract from the root of Garcinia kola demonstrated remarkable antidiabetic activity even more than a standard antidiabetic drug in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Consequently, this plant may be of value in diabetes treatment. Key words: Antidiabetic, Saponin, Garcinia kola, Alloxan