1 Department of Pharmacognosy and Traditional Medicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
2 Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria.
3 Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.
Research Article
GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 30(03), 001-024.
Article DOI: 10.30574/gscbps.2025.30.3.0048
Received on 27 December 2024; revised on 15 February 2025; accepted on 18 February 2025
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a widespread metabolic disorder characterized by insulin resistance and impaired insulin secretion, leading to hyperglycemia and various complications. Despite the availability of conventional therapies, achieving optimal glycemic control remains a challenge, necessitating alternative treatment strategies. Ethnomedicinal evidence suggests that Newbouldia laevis (P. Beauv) leaves and Garcinia kola (Hackel) seeds possess hypoglycemic properties, but their combined antidiabetic potential remains underexplored.
Objective: This study investigates the antidiabetic efficacy of N. laevis and G. kola extracts individually and in combination, aiming to develop a synergistic polyherbal formulation for diabetes management.
Methods: The study involved phytochemical screening, acute toxicity assessment, and in vivo evaluation of antidiabetic activity using a nicotinamide-streptozotocin (NAD-STZ) induced diabetic model in Swiss albino mice. The median effective doses (ED₅₀) of the individual extracts were determined, followed by an isobologram analysis to assess the interaction between the two plant extracts. Mice were divided into treatment groups receiving different combinations of N. laevis and G. kola extracts, alongside standard antidiabetic drugs as controls. Biochemical parameters, including fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, insulin secretion, and insulin resistance indices, were evaluated over 12 weeks.
Results: Phytochemical analysis confirmed the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, and terpenoids in both extracts. Acute toxicity studies showed no mortality at doses up to 5000 mg/kg, indicating safety. Both extracts significantly reduced FBG levels in a dose-dependent manner, with G. kola exhibiting superior glucose-lowering effects. The combination therapy demonstrated a synergistic effect, achieving enhanced glycemic control and lipid modulation compared to individual treatments. The most effective combination ratio (110 mg/kg G. kola: 160 mg/kg N. laevis) showed significant improvements in insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, and lipid profiles.
Conclusion: The synergistic interaction between N. laevis and G. kola offers a promising alternative for diabetes management. This combination not only improves glycemic control but also addresses metabolic complications associated with T2DM, potentially serving as a foundation for novel polyherbal formulations. Further clinical investigations are warranted to validate these findings for human application.
Type 2 Diabetes; Newbouldia Laevis; Garcinia Kola; Polyherbal Formulation; Insulin Resistance; Synergistic Effect
Preview Article PDF
Ekenna Reginald Elikee, Festus Basden Chinedu Okoye, Charity Chinasa Ezea, Innocent Mary Ifedibaluchukwu Ejiofor and Daniel Lotanna Ajaghaku. Investigation of the Antidiabetic Potential of Combination of Newbouldia leavis (P. Beauv) Leaves and Garcinia kola (Hackel) Seed Extracts in NAD – Streptozin Induced Diabetes. GSC Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2025, 30(3), 001-024. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/gscbps.2025.30.3.0048