title: Evaluation of the anti-diabetic properties of Mucuna pruriens seed extract.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the antidiabetic properties of Mucuna pruriens(M. pruriens).
  
  
  METHODS
  Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by single intravenous injection of 120 mg/kg of alloxan monohydrate and different doses of the extract were administered to diabetic rats. The blood glucose level was determined using a glucometer and results were compared with normal and untreated diabetic rats. The acute toxicity was also determined in albino mice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that the administration of 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 mg/kg of the crude ethanolic extract of M. pruriens seeds to alloxan-induced diabetic rats (plasma glucose > 450 mg/dL) resulted in 18.6%, 24.9%, 30.8%, 41.4%, 49.7%, 53.1% and 55.4% reduction, respectively in blood glucose level of the diabetic rats after 8h of treatment while the administration of glibenclamide (5 mg/kg/day) resulted in 59.7% reduction. Chronic administration of the extract resulted in a significant dose dependent reduction in the blood glucose level (P<0.001). It also showed that the antidiabetic activity of M. pruriens seeds resides in the methanolic and ethanolic fractions of the extract. Acute toxicity studies indicated that the extract was relatively safe at low doses, although some adverse reactions were observed at higher doses (8-32 mg/kg body weight), no death was recorded. Furthermore, oral administration of M. pruriens seed extract also significantly reduced the weight loss associated with diabetes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study clearly supports the traditional use of M. pruriens for the treatment of diabetes and indicates that the plant could be a good source of potent antidiabetic drug.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Stephen O
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Majekodunmi
authors.forename: Ademola A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Oyagbemi
authors.forename: Solomon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Umukoro
authors.forename: Oluwatoyin A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Odeku
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000496:Alloxan / Q000009:adverse effects; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D005905:Glyburide / Q000494:pharmacology; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D031299:Mucuna / Q000737:chemistry*; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012639:Seeds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000496:Alloxan; D005905:Glyburide