The antidiabetic effect of chloroform-methanol extract of Abrus precatorious seed, was studied in alloxan diabetic rabbits. The effect was compared to that of chlorpropamide - a known antidiabetic drug in the class of sulphonylurea and a control group that received normal saline instead of the extract. Normal blood glucose levels drawn before the alloxan injection were 127.80 ± 2.55, 114.30 ± 4.17 and 123.60 ± 1.47 mg/100ml for chloroform-methanol, chlorpropamide and control respectively. When 50mg/kg body weight of chloroform-methanol, chlorpropamide and 5ml of normal saline for control were given orally, blood glucose levels decreased in chloroform-methanol and chlorpropamide groups of alloxan diabetic rabbits but not in control. The percentage reduction of blood glucose of chlorpropamide was 13.8, 32.3, 60.3, 53.5, 46.8, 46.3 and 46.2 after 05, 10, 20, 30, 40, 60 and 68 hours of oral administration respectively, while that of chloroform - methanol extract was 42.9, 58.7, 67.4, 69.1, 67.9, 56.6 and 51.8% respectively. The peak percentage reduction was 69.1% after 30 hrs. and 61.3% after 20 hrs for chloroform-methanol extract and chlorpropamide respectively. This study therefore has shown that the chloroform-methanol extract of Abrus precatorius seed has some antidiabetic properties similar to that of chlopropamide. This is shown in their similar percentage reduction in blood glucose level.
Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management Vol. 9(1) 2005: 85-8
