ABSTRACT
Aqueous bark extract of Triplochiton scleroxylon used as an anti - diabetic herb in some parts of Nigeria, was examined for possible effects on body weight and some plasma components, viz., urea, creatinine and calcium concentrations in alloxan – induced diabetic rabbits. Test rabbits (New Zealand strain) of average weight, 1.60 kg, were on daily oral administration of about 100 ml of extract through clean water troughs, for 28 days. Sterile syringes were used to collect blood intravenously for analysis, from the large veins at the back of the ears of the rabbits. Standard procedures involving spectrophotometry were used to determine glucose, urea, creatinine and calcium concentrations in the plasma of experimental rabbits. The weights of the rabbits were obtained with the aid of a laboratory weighing balance. Significant decreases (P < 0.05) in plasma glucose concentration were observed on the 12th, 18th and 28th days of experiment when compared to diabetic control. However, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed on the body weight, urea and creatinine concentration with respect to diabetic controls. Although plasma calcium concentration decreased on the 12th day in the test rabbits, the decrease was not significant (P > 0.05) when compared to diabetic control. Findings so far, have shown that aqueous extract of T. scleroxylon has anti -diabetic properties without toxic side effects and this could justify the use of this plant in the treatment of diabetes mellitus in some parts of Nigeria.