Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with persistent hyperglycaemia and progressive tissue disorder leading to organ damage. Medicinal plants remain a valuable source of alternative antidiabetic agents with potential efficacy and reduced side effects. Voacanga africana is traditionally used in the management of metabolic disorders; however, its antidiabetic potential has not been adequately validated scientifically. This study evaluated the effect of methanol leaf extract of Voacanga africana on blood glucose levels, body weight, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and urinary albumin–creatinine ratio (UACR) in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar albino rats. Diabetes was induced in rats using alloxan monohydrate. Animals were divided into eight groups comprising normal control, diabetic control, glibenclamide-treated, and extract-treated groups (200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 mg/kg body weight). Treatments were administered orally for 21 days. Fasting blood glucose was monitored at regular intervals, body weight changes were recorded, while HbA1c and UACR were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats exhibited persistent hyperglycaemia, weight loss, elevated HbA1c, and increased UACR. Treatment with methanol leaf extract of Voacanga africana resulted in a significant (p < 0.05), dose-dependent reduction in fasting blood glucose levels and HbA1c, with higher doses showing effects comparable to glibenclamide. Extract-treated rats also demonstrated significant improvement in body weight and a marked reduction in UACR, indicating improved metabolic control and renal protection. Methanol leaf extract of Voacanga africana exhibits significant antidiabetic and renal protective effects in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. These findings support its traditional use and suggest its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for the management of diabetes mellitus and its associated complications.
Achilike et al. (Mon,) studied this question.