OKOKON, J. E. ODOMENA C. S. , IMABONG EFFIONG, OBOT J, UDOBANG J. A.
The ethanolic leaf extract of Eleusine indica used as antidiabetic and malarial remedy in Niger delta region of Nigeria was evaluated for antiplasmodial activity in Plasmodium berghei infected mice as well as hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic activities in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The ethanolic leaf extract (320 ? 960mg/kg) demonstrated significant (P<0.01 - 0.001) schizonticidal activity during early and established infections with a significant mean survival time. The activity was comparable to that of the standard drugs used (chloroquine 5mg/kg). Treatment of alloxan-induced diabetic rats with the leaf extract caused a significant (P<0.01) reduction in fasting Blood Glucose levels (BGL) of the alloxan-induced diabetic rats both in acute study and prolonged treatment (2 weeks). The activity of the extract during acute study was comparable to that of the reference drug, glibenclamide, but was incomparable to that of the standard drug during prolonged treatment. The results suggest that the leaf extract possesses significant (P<0.05 ? 0.001) antiplasmodial as well as hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effects which can be employed in health care.
