ABSTRACT
The seeds of Caesalpinia bonducella (L.) Flem. (Caesalpiniaceae) are sold in shops in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. A suspension of the powdered seed kernel in 0.5% carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was tested for ability to lower blood glucose in fasted and glucose-fed normal albino rabbits. Following administration of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 g/kg body weight of the powder there was no difference in areas under the fasting blood glucose and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) curves as compared to controls given CMC (P > 0.05). Similarly, 0.2 g/kg body weight of the powder administered for 7 consecutive days had no effect on either fasting blood glucose or the clearance of a glucose load from the blood. However, 0.1 g/kg body weight chlorpropamide significantly decreased the area under the fasting blood glucose and OGTT curves as compared to controls given CMC (P = 0.05). Thus, contrary to a previous report, we could not detect any hypoglycaemic activity in the seeds of Caesalpinia bonducella growing in Dar es Salaam.
