In Vivo Hypoglycemic Activity of Aqueous Leaf and Root Extracts of Macaranga Barteri Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) In Swiss Albino Mice

Year : 2026 | Volume : 15 | 02 | Page :
    By

    Fayia R. SAMUKAI,

  1. , Department of Pharmaognosy, Medicinal Plants Research and Drug Development, Pan African University of Life and Earth Sciences Institute, School of Pharmacy, University of Ibadan, P. O. Box 200005, Ibadan, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Macaranga barteri Müll. Arg. is a perennial plant in the family Euphorbiaceae and is used in African traditional medicine for the management of several ailments, including diabetes. Although the leaves and stem bark have been studied for various pharmacological activities, little is known about the therapeutic value of the roots. Objective: This study evaluated the in vivo hypoglycemic activity of aqueous leaf and root extracts of M. barteri in alloxan-induced diabetic Swiss albino mice and assessed their safety following repeated oral administration. Materials and Methods: Fresh leaves and roots of M. barteri were collected, authenticated, air-dried, and extracted with distilled water by hot maceration. Diabetes was induced in Swiss albino mice using intraperitoneal alloxan monohydrate, and diabetic animals were treated orally with leaf or root extracts at doses of 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg body weight for seven days. Glibenclamide served as the reference drug. A 28-day repeated-dose oral toxicity study was also conducted in healthy mice using doses of 200, 346, and 600 mg/kg body weight. Body weight, relative organ weights, hematological indices, and biochemical markers of liver and kidney function were evaluated. Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, steroids, saponins, and coumarins. Both leaf and root extracts significantly reduced blood glucose levels in alloxan-induced diabetic mice, with effects comparable to glibenclamide. The leaf extract showed the greatest glucose-lowering effect at 200 mg/kg body weight, whereas the root extract was most active at 100 mg/kg body weight. In the 28-day toxicity study, neither extract produced marked adverse effects on body weight, organ-to-body weight ratios, hematological parameters, or biochemical markers of hepatic and renal function. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that aqueous leaf and root extracts of M. barteri possess significant hypoglycemic activity in diabetic mice and appear relatively safe following repeated oral administration at the tested doses. These results support the traditional use of M. barteri in the management of hyperglycemia and provide a basis for further pharmacological and clinical investigations.

Keywords: Macaranga barteri, hypoglycemic activity, diabetes mellitus, medicinal plants, toxicity, Swiss albino mice

How to cite this article:
Fayia R. SAMUKAI. In Vivo Hypoglycemic Activity of Aqueous Leaf and Root Extracts of Macaranga Barteri Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) In Swiss Albino Mice. Research and Reviews : Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology. 2026; 15(02):-.
How to cite this URL:
Fayia R. SAMUKAI. In Vivo Hypoglycemic Activity of Aqueous Leaf and Root Extracts of Macaranga Barteri Müll. Arg. (Euphorbiaceae) In Swiss Albino Mice. Research and Reviews : Journal of Veterinary Science and Technology. 2026; 15(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjovst/article=2026/view=249947


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 15
02
Received 06/07/2026
Accepted 07/07/2026
Published 15/07/2026
Publication Time 9 Days
27

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