This study investigated the effects of aqueous bark extract of unripe Chrysophyllum albidum on plasma glucose and triacylglycerol concentrations in albino rats. Six normal male albino rats of average weight 160g obtained at eight weeks were randomly categorized into two groups of three rats each after one week of acclimatization. Aqueous bark extract of unripe Chrysophyllum albidum was administered to the test rats for 28 days. Blood samples collected periodically from the tail of the rats were analyzed for glucose and triacylglycerol levels by spectrophotometric method. Statistical analysis of results showed that the extract caused significant decreases in glucose  and triacylglycerol concentrations on days 6, 12, 18, 24 and 28 when compared with the normal control (P<0.05). Histological report showed that the aqueous bark extract of unripe Chrysophyllum albidum was neither hepatotoxic nor nephrotoxic and was well tolerated by the heart. Therefore, this extract may also be useful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Keywords: Chrysophyllum albidum, diabetes, glucose, triacylglycerol, plasma.

1. Arshad, R; Salah, M.A; Habeeb, A.L; Ali, Y.B; Sauda, S. (2014). Therapeutic effects of date fruits (Phoenix dactylifera) in the prevention of diseases via modulation of anti-inflammatory antiox-idant and anti tumour activity. Int. J. Clin. Exp. Med. 7:483-491
2. Bonilla, J.V. and Gilbertsville, K.Y. (2009). Methods and composition for regulation of blood Afri. J. Traditional complement Altern. Med. 6(4):573-578.
3. Chung, K.T; Wong, T.Y.; Wei, C.I.; Huang, Y.W.; and Lin, Y. (1998). Tannins and human health: a review. Crit. Rev. Food SCI.Nutr. 38(6):421-464.
4. Dekker, J.C; Van Doornen, L.J.P. and Han Kemper, C.G. (1996). The role of anti oxidant vitamin and enzymes and the prevention of exercise- induced muscle damage. Sport medicine. 21:213-238
5. Duke, J.A. (1992). Data base of Biologically active phytochemical and their activity.
6. Boca Raton, Fla: CRC Press. Pp 183-191
7. Egharevba, H.O; Ibrahim, J.A; Naduaguba, G. A; Kunle, O.F;(2015)
8. Phytochemical proximate pharmacognosy analyses and thin layer chromatography of    chrysophyiium albidum seed. EW.J.Herb. Chem. Pharmacol. Res. 1a: 6-12
9. Imaga, N.O.A; Urua, E.E (2013). Chemical and antioxidant evaluation of star apple fruit (chrysophyiium albidum) crude extracts. Planta med. Congress Abstract. Pp : 79-83
10. Kitabchi, A.E., Umpierrez, G.E., Miles, J.M. and Fisher, J.N (2009). “Hyperglycemic crises in adult patients with diabetes”.Diabetes Care. 32(7):1335. doi:10.2337/dc09-9032.Kraut, J.A. and Nagami, G.T. (2009), “Metabolic acidosis of chronic kidney disease”. Science Direct, 29(10):4.
11. Lukacinova, A.J., Mojzis, R; Benacka, J; Keller, T; Maguth, P; Kurila L. (2008). Nistiar: Preventive effects of flavonoids on Alloxan- Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats. Acta vet Brno. 77(2):175-182.
12. Mc Donald p,Edwards, R.A; Greenhalgh, J.F.D.(1973). Animal nutrition. T and A constable ltd. Edinburgh Pp:2-5
13. Muanya, C. (2011). African star apple; Agbalumo to treat diabetes, heart disease. Infections.”Inform Africa, 1(3):1-3.
14. Nakashima, S.L; Azian, A.L; Das, S.(2010). Histological changes in the kidneys of experimental diabetic rats fed with Momordicacharantia (bitter gourd) extract. Romanian J.Morphol Embryo. 51(1):91-95
15. Okpala, B. (2016). “Distinctive benefits of Chrysophyllum fruits”. Global FoodBook, viewed 9 march 2016, http://globalfoodbook.com.
16. Olorunnisola, O.S., Amao, S., Ehigie, L.O. and Ajayi, A.F. (2008). “Anti-Hyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of ethanolic extract of Chrysophyllum-albidum seed cotyledon in alloxan induced-diabetic rats”. Research Journal of Applied Sciences, 3(2):123-127.
17. Osuntokun, O.T., Ayegbusi, B.L., Yusuf-Babatunde, A.M. and Ige, O.O. (2017). “Assessment of Antimicrobial, Phytoche-mical Screening and Gas Chromato-graphy-Mass Spectrophotometric Profile of Crude ChrysophyllumAlbidum Essential Oil”. Chemistry Research Journal, 2 (5):68-85.
18. Salami, A.T., Adewoye, E.O. and Emikpe, B.O. (2012).“Effect of methanolic extract of Chrysophyllumalbidum bark on hematological indices in mice with experimental hemorrhagic anemia”. African Journal of Biochemical Research, 15(2):2.

Prof. T. P. Prohp.

Department of  Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State, Nigeria