Development of standardized herbal antidiabetic formulation from bioactive extracts of Galega officinalis

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness that has continued to affect the entire population worldwide. Conventional interventions have been long used; however due to their various limitations there is need for more and a wider variety of more interventions in medicine. This has led to research to be carried out on herbal medication in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. G. officinalis commonly known as goats rue is widely used globally for the treatment of diabetes mellitus because of its blood sugar reducing properties. Objectives; To develop a standardized herbal formulation from bioactive extracts of Galega officinalis. Methods: The study constituted of healthy male wister rats weighing between 80-120g. Rats were rendered diabetic by IP (intra perenial) injection of alloxane (Sigma, USA) in a dose 150mg/kg after an overnight fast. Three days later one blood drop was withdrawn from the retroorbital plexus and tested for blood glucose level (BGL) using glucose strips and Freestyle Apparatus, USA. Rats with blood glucose level more than 140 mg/dl were considered diabetic. The rats were divided into four groups one given distilled water(placebo), control drug, and 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg doses of the G. officinalis methanolic extract. Acute toxicity tests were performed in accordance with the 2008 regulations of Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD Test Guideline: 423). Results:Methanolic extracts of G. officinalis were given to rats in doses of 200mg/kg and 300mg/kg and produced reduction of blood glucose by the fifth day(P˂0.05) of dose administration by 38% and 52% respectively. The phytochemicals present were also responsible for reduction in weight following a period of twenty days by 9.5%. Toxicology results done at 5000mg/kg of the methanolic extract showed mild hepatic necrosis. Conclusion: G.officinalis methanolic extract contains anti-diabetic effects and is safe in male wistar rats.