Regulatory Activity of the Aqueous Extract of Picralima nitida Seeds (Apocynaceae) on the Glycemia of Normoglycemic and Hyperglycemic Wistar Rats

Abstract

Picralima nitida is a plant commonly used in traditional African medicine for its antimalarial, antidiuretic, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of the aqueous extract of Picralima seeds nitida on the glycemia of rats. To achieve this objective, we performed phytochemical screening using the tube revelation method. The effect of the aqueous extract of Picralima nitida seeds on glycemia was evaluated in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic rats. The screening results indicated the presence of polyphenols, catechic tannins, flavonoids and saponins. The results of the effect of the extract on blood sugar showed that the extract did not cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in normoglycemic rats. As for the effect of the extract on blood sugar in hyperglycemic rats, the extract caused a significant reduction in hyperglycemia induced in rats with glucose. The antihyperglycemic and antihypoglycemic properties that the seeds of Picralima nitida highlighted in this work, reveal that the seeds of this plant would be a powerful remedy in the treatment of diabetes thanks to its active ingredients.