RESUMO
The blood glucose lowering effect of the ethanolic extract of the seed of Telfaria occidentalis in normoglycemic, alloxan-diabetic and glucose loaded rats was determined. Ethanolic extract of the seed of Telfairia occidentialis was administered at two dose levels (100 and 250 mg kg(-1)) to both normoglycemic and alloxan diabetic Wilstar albino rats. Blood was collected from the tail vein of the rats at 1, 2 and 4 h. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) was carried out by administering 100 and 250 mg kg(-1) of the extract to glucose loaded rats (1 g kg(-1)) and blood was collected from the tail vein of rats at 0, 15, 30, 45 and 60 min. Blood glucose level was determined using a glucometer. Standard methods were used for phytochemical screening of the extract. The results showed that 100 mg kg(-1) ethanolic extract of seed of T. occidentalis reduced blood glucose concentration significantly only in the alloxan diabetic and not in the normoglycemic rats. 250 mg kg(-1) extract did not show this effect. The extract did not affect the oral glucose tolerance of rats when administered simultaneously or 1 h before glucose loading. Phytochemical screening indicated the presence of alkaloids, steroids, tannins and terpenes. It could be concluded that the ethanolic extract of the seed of Telfairia occidentalis possesses hypoglycemic effect in alloxan diabetic rats and could be useful in the ethnotherapy of type 2 diabetes.