Pharmacognostic Profile and Anti-Hyperglycemic Activity of Jatropha Tanjorensis Linn (Euphorbiaceae) Leaf on Alloxan-Induced Hyperglycemic Rats

Background: Jatropha tanjorensis has been used traditionally for the treatment of a variety of diseases, these include; renal problem, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, inflammation and in moderate depression. The pharmacognostic standardization of it’s can be used in the development of it’s monograph. Diabetes mellitus is disease that is responsible for millions of death yearly. Over the years, efforts have been made in the discovery of new bioactive compounds with Antidiabetic activity

Objective: The objective of the study was to establish the pharmacognostic profile and anti-hyperglycemic activity of methanol leaf extract of Jatropha tanjorensis on alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats.

Methods: The phytochemical analysis, pharmacognostic profile and acute toxicity study were done using standard methods. The anti-hyperglycemic activity of the methanol leaf extract of J. tanjorensis was investigated by using normal and alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats for acute and sub-acute studies.

Results: Phytochemical screening revealed alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrates, reducing sugars, cardiac glycosides, saponins and tannins. The moisture content obtained was 5.67% w/w. The total ash value was 8.39%w/w, acid-insoluble ash value was 0.72% w/w and water-soluble ash value was 3.91% w/w. There was no mortality or any signs of behavioral changes or toxicity observed after oral administration of Jatropha tanjorensis up to the dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight in mice. The sub-acute anti-hyperglycemic study was carried out for 14days, there was a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent anti-hyperglycemic effect of the methanol leaf extract of J. tanjorensis of 11.76, 55.51 and 77.65% blood glucose level reduction for 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively, when compared with the negative control (- 23.18 %)and 67.29 % for positive control; Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg)which has less activity.

Conclusion: From this study, it shows that J. tanjorensis leaf have anti-hyperglycemic property, which could justify its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The Pharmacognostic profile can be used for a monograph of the plant for its proper identification and quality control.