EFFECTS OF HUNTERIA UMBELLATA K. SCHUM(APOCYNACEA) ETHYL ACETATE EXTRACT IN REGULATING GLUCOSE UPTAKE AND INHIBITION OF GLUCOSIDASE.

Diabetes mellitus, a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, is a major global health challenge. The search for novel antidiabetic agents from medicinal plants has gained momentum due to their potential therapeutic benefits and minimal side effects. Hunteria umbellata K. Schum (Apocynaceae) is a plant widely used in traditional African medicine for managing diabetes and related disorders. This study investigates the antidiabetic potential of the ethyl acetate extract from Hunteria umbellata, specifically focusing on its ability to regulate glucose uptake and inhibit a-glucosidase activity, two crucial mechanisms in controlling blood glucose levels. The regulation of glucose uptake is essential for enhancing insulin sensitivity, enabling efficient glucose absorption by cells. Inhibition of a-glucosidase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down carbohydrates into glucose, helps prevent sharp postprandial glucose spikes. In vitro assays were conducted to assess the extract's ability to enhance glucose uptake in muscle and adipose cells, as well as its inhibitory effect on a-glucosidase. Results revealed that the ethyl acetate extract significantly improved glucose uptake and exhibited strong a-glucosidase inhibition, suggesting its potential to manage hyperglycemia. These findings indicate that Hunteria umbellata ethyl acetate extract could be a promising source of bioactive compounds for developing antidiabetic therapies. Further studies are needed to isolate the active compounds and evaluate their efficacy and safety in vivo.