Abstract

Canarium schweinfurthii is a common medicinal plant used as food and medicine in communities of central Uganda. Local communities and herbalists commonly used it in the management of diabetes mellitus type 2 with limited information on its effectiveness.  Study assessed the hypoglycemic effect of C. schweinfurthii aqueous and total crude leaf and pulp extracts on blood glucose levels in Wistar albino rats. An experimental based laboratory-based study was conducted on 18 groups each with 6 Wistar albino rats. An oral glucose load of 2.5 mg/kg bwt was used to induce physiological hyperglycemia. Group 1 got 2 mL of distilled water; group 2 received 10 mg/kg bwt of glibenclamide, group 3-18 received varying doses of aqueous and total crude extracts respectively. Blood sugar levels were determined at different time intervals (fasting, time 0, 30, 60, 90, 180, and 240 min) using an automated blood glucose glucometer. Study was approved by relevant IRB. Both extracts exhibited hypoglycemic activity though less than glibenclamide drug since curves were above control drug and distilled water. All extracts of C. schweinfurthii had hypoglycemic effect though it was lower compared to glibenclamide and hence its continued use by the local communities in Central Uganda.

Key words: Canarium Schweinfurthii, blood sugar levels, hypoglycemic effect, hyperglycemia.