Effects of methanolic extract of Pausinystalia yohimbe bark on blood glucose level in normal fasting rats

Hozeifa Mohamed Hassan, Taj Eldin Imad Mohamed, Elhadi Mohamed Mohamed Ahmed, Abd Elwahab Hassan Mohamed, Nizar Sirag

Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.
Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Research Institute, National Centre of Research, Khartoum, Sudan.
Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan.

DOI: 10.4236/health.2012.412180                

Abstract

Background: Pausinystalia yohimbe (L.) is a member of the family Rubiaceae. It is a valuable medicinal tree, distributed in evergreen closed-canopy forests in West Africa. It is traditionally used for treatment of erectile dysfunction and diabetes. Objective: This was an attempt to evaluate the effects of methanolic extract of P. yohimbe bark on blood glucose level in normal fasting rats. Methods: Different doses of methanolic extract of P. yohimbe bark (5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg/mL) were orally administered to normal fasting rats to assess their effects on blood glucose levels. Results: The methanolic extract of P. yohimbe bark in different concentrations (5, 10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg/mL) when administered to normal fasting rats, only a considerable reduction (26.57 mg/dL) was produced by the dose of 20 mg/kg/mL. Conclusion and Recommendation: Although P. yohimbe has long been reported to regulate blood glucose levels; such effect is unclear and remains requiring further studies.

Keywords

Pausinystalia yohimbe Bark; Yohimbine; Fasting Blood Glucose Level; Hypoglycemia

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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