Abstract

Gongronema latifolium (Asclepiadiaceae) is used as bitter spice or flavouring agent in many traditional Nigerian dishes. It is well known for medicinal and nutritional purposes like anti-hyperglycemic, anti-oxidant, antitussive and widely distributed in the southeastern states of Nigeria. Objective of present study was to evaluate the anti-hyperglycemic and anti-oxidant effect of the methanol extract of Gongronema latifolium leaves. The methanol extract of G. latifolium at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg were studied for anti-hyperglycemic effect in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats. The variation in blood glucose level in normal and experimental rats on 0, 7, 14 and 21 days of treatment has also been recorded. Treatment with G. latifolium extract showed signs of recovery as comparable with the standard drug glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg). The effect of different treatment on body weight of rats was also determined. The antioxidant properties of the extracts as determined by the DPPH free radical scavenging assay. The result showed that G. latifolium extract caused a concentration dependent percentage increase of antioxidant activity. Study concludes that methanol leaf extract of G. latifolium possesses significant anti-hyperglycemic and anti-oxidant activities.

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