Abstract

Preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanol leaves of Cissampelos mucronata revealed the presence of reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides, resin, tannins, saponins, glycosides, flavonoids, glycerin and steroids. The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) in rats is greater than 5000 mg/kg body weight intaperitoneally. The hypoglycemic effect of ethanol extract of C. mucronata was also investigated in Streptozocin- induced diabetic rats. Single intraperitoneally administration of the extract at the doses of 200, 400 and 800 mg/kg. There was a significant decreased (p<0.05) in the blood glucose levels in all the doses administered. The dose of 200 mg/kg was more effective with the highest glycemic change of 67% after 24 h of extract administration than the other two doses of 400 and 800 mg/kg with glycemic change of 60%. The ethanol leaves extract of C. mucronata possess hypoglycemic activity in Streptozocin induced in diabetic rats.

Key words: Cissampelos mucronata, hypoglycemic activity, streptozocin, diabetes.