Gamma-sitosterol–rich fraction from the methanolic extract of Ficus exasperata restores diabetes associated pathophysiological alterations in an alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Ficus exasperata has been reported to have hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effects which are even better than some standard antidiabetic drugs. However, key compounds behind these effects are still unknown. This study was therefore designed to isolate and conduct preliminary characterization of the components of F. exasperata that are responsible for its antidiabetic effects. Methanol extract of F. exasperata was partitioned using ethyl acetate and n-hexane when ethyl acetate extract was found to have more hypoglycemic potential in animal model. Hence, the ethyl acetate fraction was used for the in vivo study. Adult male rats were divided into 4 treatment and one control groups (n=5). Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150mg/kg body weight). The effects of the fractions and a standard antidiabetic drug (glibenclamide) on blood glucose, haematological parameters, liver enzymes, lipid profile and histopathology of some organs were studied thereafter. All treated rats responded positively to treatment with the fraction and hyperglycemia was reversed within 7 days of treatment. Treatment with the fraction induced significantly better (p<0.05) haematopoetic values and lower hyperlipidemia than the standard antidiabetic drug. The degrees of diabetes related degeneration in the pancreas, kidney, liver and heart of the treated groups were significantly lower compared to the rats treated with glibenclamide. The fraction contained 7 compounds and the most prominent compound was gamma-Sitosterol with a percentage of 25.49. The results of this study suggest that Ficus exasperata (Ethyl Acetate fraction) is a good candidate for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.