Abstract:
Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae) is a multipurpose plant with many explorable attributes and
considerable potentials. Different parts of the Jatropha curcas plants are employed in Indian
traditional medicine for the treatment of several disorders .This research assessed the chemical
compositions of Jatropha curcas leaves extract and hyperglycemic effect of 250mg/kg body
weight of Jatropha curcas extract in Albino rats. The rats in their fasting states for 12hours were
intraperitoneally injected with Alloxan (150mg/kg body weight) and hyperglycemia was
confirmed 48hours later. The weight and fasting blood glucose levels of all rats were determined
before the commencement of the experiment. Oral treatment for 21days commenced
immediately after confirmation of hyperglycaemia, using ethanol and methanol Jatropha curcas
extract. Diabetes was not induced to Group 1 animals and were administered 1ml of distilled
water as negative control, diabetes was induced to rats in group 2, they were given distill water
only as positive control. Group 3 were diabetic and were administered 250mg/kg body weight of
ethanol Jatropha curcas extract. Rats in group 4 were diabetic and were treated with 250mg/kg
body weight of extract of methanol Jatropha curcas extract. Group 3 showed highest
hypoglycemic effect at the end of 21 days. There is also decrease in blood glucose level in group
4 when compared with group 2 which serves as positive control.Results indicate that Jatropha
carcus has great anti-hyperglycemic effect in the diabetic rats and could further be used as an
alternative for the treatment of diabetes. |
