ABSTRACT

This study is to evaluate the effects of butanol leave extract of Nephrolepis undulataon glucose absorption in alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats. Twenty (20) rats weighing between 150g -180g were used for the study and were grouped into four groups (n=5). Group 1 (control) were only fed with growers mash and water daily. Group 2 were diabetic control. Group 3 rats were non-diabetic and treated with 1ml of butanol leave extract of Nephrolepis undulata. Group 4 rats were diabetic and treated with 1ml of butanol leave extract of Nephrolepis undulata. Diabetes was induced by 40mg/kg intraperitoneal injection of Alloxan solution. At the end of the 8days of Nephrolepis undulata extract administration, glucose absorption across the small intestine was determined by everted sac method where segments of the small intestine was placed in Kreb’s bicarbonate solution in an aerated flask and incubated for 30 minutes and the glucose absorption by the tissue is determined by spectrophotometer with reagent kits.  Data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 21) software and result as Mean ± Standard Error of the mean (SEM) with significant level at P<0.05. The result showed that glucose level increases after 72hours of inducing diabetes, which is reduced by butanol leave extract of Nephrolepis undulata. This hypoglycemic effect of butanol leave extract of Nephrolepis undulata is further buttressed by the reduction observed in the intestinal glucose absorption in diabetic rats treated with the extract where there is inhibition of glucose transporters (SLGT-1 and GLUT-2). Due to the fact that sodium ion (Na+) is co-transported with glucose, increased concentration of glucose also observed increased Na+ uptake across the intestinal epithelium. Conclusively, Nephrolepis undulata carry out its hypoglycemic properties by inhibiting glucose transporters in the intestinal membrane.