EVALUATION OF THE ANTI DIABETIC ACTIVITY OF METHANOL EXTRACT OF DALBEGIA RUFA USING IN VIVO AND IN VITRO MODELS.

Abstract The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has reached epidemic levels worldwide, necessitating the exploration of novel therapeutic agents from natural sources. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of the methanol extract of Dalbergia rufa, a medicinal novel plant traditionally used for managing diabetes. In this study, both in vitro and in vivo models were employed to assess the potential anti-diabetic effects of the extract. The phytochemical analysis and acute toxicity test was carried out using standard methods and was used to identify the compounds present in the extract, to evaluate the qualitative presence of chemical constituents, and the safety of the extract respectively. The in vivo evaluation (OGTT) which was measured to assess the extract's efficacy in lowering blood glucose and improving glucose tolerance was carried out following oral administration of three doses (200, 400, 800 mg/kg) of Dalbergia rufa extract. The in vitro α-amylase assay was conducted to determine the extract's effects involved in carbohydrate metabolism. The acute toxicity test showed that the LD50 of the extract is greater than 5000 mg/kg, while the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, carbohydrates, flavonoids and saponins. There was significant decrease of blood glucose levels in the animals administered with 200 mg/kg of the extract at (p