RESUMO
Among other ethno medicinal uses, Mitragyna inermis have been claimed by traditional medical practitioners in northern Nigeria to be an effective anti-diabetic agent. The hypoglycaemic effect of the ethanol extract of M. inermis on blood glucose levels of alloxan induced diabetic albino rats have been investigated. The results revealed that the plant possessed hypoglycaemic activity. Doses of 250, 350 and 450mgkg-1 body weight intraperitoneally (i.p.) were administered to the rats but the 350mg/kg-1 dose exhibited the highest hypoglycaemic potentials. The LD50 value (1600mgkg-1) recorded on the ethanol extract of stem-bark of M. inermis indicated that it is slightly toxic but could be used safe on human at lower doses. Silica gel column fractionation of the ethanol extract of M. inermis led to the isolation of a pure compound 1, 5-cholesten-3-phenyl-22, 24-β-diketone. 1H and 13C NMR and IR spectroscopy have been used jointly to determine the conformation of the compound.