Physicochemical Profile and Anti-Diabetic Property of Clerodendrum splendens G. Don Leaves (Verbenaceae) on Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Albino Wistar Rats.

Patrick Ebele Obi¹, Collins Ezeorah¹, Ginikachukwu Maryrose Okoh*¹, Christopher Obododike Ezugwu² and Christopher Ugwoke2.

Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu, Nigeria.
Department of Pharmacognosy and Environmental Medicines, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu, Nigeria

Key words:

Clerodendrum splendens, Glibenclamide, alloxan, diabetes, acid-insoluble ash, moisture content.

*Corresponding author: Ginikachukwu.uzor@esut.edu.ng;
DOI:https://doi.org/10.61594/tnpr.v6(2).2025.124

Page No: 80-92
Volume: 6, Issue 2, 2025
Trends in Natural Products Research
Copy Right: NAPREG

Abstract

Clerodendrum splendens G. Don (CS) is an African folk plant that is used in traditional medicine to manage diabetes. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical profile and antidiabetic properties of a CS ethanol extract and its solvent fractions in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. Dried powdered plant samples were extracted using cold maceration and fractionated using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and water. Physicochemical and qualitative phytochemical profiling of CS leaves was performed using standard procedures. An acute toxicity study was also conducted. Diabetes was induced in albino rats by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg of the crude extract and 200 mg/kg of each fraction. Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) was used as a positive control, and untreated diabetic rats were used as negative controls. All treatments were administered orally once daily for 15 days, and the blood glucose levels of the rats were determined at 3 days interval after overnight fasting. A histopathological examination of the pancreas was performed. The physicochemical evaluation of the powdered sample indicated a total ash value of 4.88%, acidinsoluble ash ((0.32%), water-soluble ash (2.19%), moisture content (10.23%), ethanol extractive value of 13.16%, n-hexane extractive value of 1.76%, and ethyl acetate extractive of4.37%. Phytochemical analysis of the crude CS extract revealed the presence of phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, saponins, steroids, and terpenoids. The reduction in blood sugar levels by the CS extract at 200 mg/kg (54.05%) and 400 mg/kg (45.27%) was comparable to that of the glibenclamide group (58.07%). Histopathological examination of the pancreas revealed the regenerative potential of the extract for pancreatic islet atrophy. The CS ethanol extract has potential antidiabetic properties that could be explored for the development of new therapeutic agents.