| Medicinal plants constitute an important source of potential therapeutic agents for diabetes. In the study, we investigate the effects of Moringa oleifera (MO) lam on blood sugar of albino rats. Hyperglycemia was induced in rats using alloxan (120 mg/kg body weight, intraperitioneally,). Normoglycemia and hyperglycemic rats were treated with three different doses of the aqueous extracts, tolbutamide (positive control) and normal saline (negative control). The glucose level of the withdrawn blood samples was determined by 0-toluidine spectrophotometric method. The classes of chemical components of the aqueous extract of the plant were determined. Proteins, fixed oils and fats and carbohydrates were found to be present. The aqueous extract produced a dose— dependent reduction (P<0. 05) in blood sugar levels of normoglycemic and hyperglycemic rats. In normoglycemic rats, the aqueous extract of MO (100,200 and 300 mg/kg) exhibited 23.14, 27.05 and 33.18 % reduction respectively of the blood glucose levels within 6 hours of administration, while tolbutamide (200 mg/kg) showed 33.29% (P<0. 05) reduction. In alloxan induced diabetic rats, the aqueous extract (100, 200, 300 mg/kg) exhibited 33.29%, 40.69% and 44.06% reduction respectively of blood glucose concentration within 6 hours of administration, while tolbutamide (200 mg/kg,) caused 46. 75% reduction. The studies showed that the aqueous extract of Moringa oleifera leaves do posses a significant, dose-dependent hypoglycemic activity in normoglvcemic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats and almost as effective as the standard drug ( tolbutamid.). This also supports its use in folkloric management of diabetes. |