Evaluation of Antidiabetic Effect of Aqueous Extract of Imperata Cylindrica (Poaceae) Roots in Wistar Ratsct of Aqueous Extract of Imperata Cylindrica (Poaceae) Roots in Wistar Rats

Abstract

Diabetes, which has become a major public health problem, is treated by certain plants in our regions, including Imperata cylindrica. The aqueous extract of the dried roots of this plant was obtained by infusion. The various chemical groups in the total aqueous extract were evaluated using the methods described by Houghton and Raman. Rats made diabetic by injection of a single dose (50mg/kg bw) of streptozotocin were treated with different doses of the extract compared with glibenclamide. Treatment began 28 days after injection and lasted 28 days. Blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured before streptozotocin injection, before and after treatment with our extract, and one week after cessation of treatment. Histopathological sections of the pancreas were then taken.

The phytochemical screening study carried out on the roots of this plant showed that it contains sterols, polyterpenes, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponosides. Blood glucose levels in normal rats ranged from 0.902±0.009 g/L to 1.013±0.00 g/L and glycated hemoglobin from 3.377±0.130% to 3.87±0.186%. Untreated diabetic rats blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin increased to 3.26±0.26 g/L and 9.583±0.322% at D63 respectively. One week after discontinuation of treatment, blood glucose values increased with glibenclamide and remained normal in batches treated with the extract. Histological sections showed reconstituting cells. The extract normalizes blood glucose and lowers glycated hemoglobin, justifying its traditional use in the treatment of diabetes.