International Journal of Pharmacology1811-77751812-5700Asian Network for Scientific Information10.3923/ijp.2007.505.509Picralima nitida Stapf (Apocynaceae) Seed]]>OkontaJ. M.AguwaC. N.6200736The blood glucose lowering effect of the seed extract of Picralima nitida has been suggested to be due to its rich indole alkaloids; this study, therefore, is aimed at evaluating the hypoglycemic activity of the alkaloids and glycosides extracts of the Picralima nitida seed. The alkaloids extract of Picralima nitida seed (Apocynaceae) given i.p. caused increase in mean fasting blood glucose levels while the glycosides extract reduced the blood glucose levels in normoglycemic and hyperglycemic rats. Glycosides extract caused significant (p<0.05) percentage maximal reduction of 38.6% (250 mg kg-1) and 22.9% (500 mg kg-1) of the mean fasting blood glucose levels in normoglycemic and 64.4% (250 mg kg-1) and 39.0% (500 mg kg-1) in the hyperglycemic rats. The glycosides extract maintained low mean fasting blood glucose levels throughout the 24 h duration of study in hyperglycemic rats. On subchronic treatment of hyperglycemic rats, glycosides extract (250 mg kg-1) caused 82.99% while glyburide (5 mg kg-1) caused 60.81% reduction of mean blood glucose levels. Thus the hypoglycemic activity of seed extract of Picralima nitida may be resident in the glycosides of the seed extract.]]>Aguwa, C.N., C.V. Ukwe, S.I. Inya-Agha and J.M. Okonta,2001Picralima nitida aqueous seed extract in experimental rabbit model.]]>1135139Akah, P.A. and C.L. Okafor,1992Vernonia amygdalina Del, in an experimental rabbit model.]]>6171173Akah, P.A., C.O. Okoli and S.V. Nwafor,20022110Bamidele, T.V., S. Josiah, A.A. Odetola and W.G. Okunade,2002+ ATPase in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rabbits.]]>12629Brain, K.R. and T.D. Turner,1975pp: 98-102pp: 98-102Esimone, C.O., J.M. Okonta and C.O. Ezugwu,2001Anacardium occidental leaf extract in experimental rabbit model.]]>16063Fakeye, T.O., S.O. Awe, H.A. Odelola, O.E. Ola-Davies, O.A. Itiola and T. Obajuluwa,2004Picralima nitida (Fam. Apocynaceae).]]>43745Gyang, S.S., D.D. Nyam and E.N. Sokomba,2004Vernonia amygdalina. (chloroform extract) in normoglycemic and alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats.]]>16166Harbone, J.B.,19842nd Edn.,pp: 84-196pp: 84-196Inya-Agha, S.I.,1999Picralima nitida.]]>36667Inya-Agha, S.I., S.C. Ezea and O.A. Odukoya,2006Picralima nitida: Hypoglycemic activity, toxicity and analytical standards.]]>2576580Jani, S.R. and S.N. Sharma,196715439442Lorke, D.,198354275287Mahler, R.J. and M.L. Alder,19998411651171Nadkarni, A.,19943rd Edn.,pp: 805-807pp: 805-807Nolte, M.S. and J.H. Karam,20042004pp: 693-715pp: 693-715Ozturk, Y., V.M. Altan and N. Yildizoglu-Ari,19964869112Pari, L. and M.A. Satheesh,2004Boerhaavia diffusa L.: Effect on hepatic key enzymes in experimental diabetes.]]>91109113Petal, M. and P. Rybczynski,200312623633Sanjay, M.J.,20023913Shane-McWhorter, L.,200114199208Smith, S.A. and Tadayyon,200312307324Szkudelski, T.,200150537546Kren, V. and L. Martinkova,2001813031328Watcho, P., G. Nyah Njike, T. Benoit Nguelefack and A. Kamanyi,2005Bersama engleriana in rats.]]>2215221Yeh, G.Y., D.M. Eisenberg, T.J. Kaptchuk and R.S. Phillips,20032612771294