EVALUATION OF THE TOXICITY, HYPOGLYCAEMIC AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE POTENTIAL OF THE PHENOLIC EXTRACT OF Picralima nitida IN DIABETIC WISTAR RATS
CHINYERE STEPHANIE CHIMA-EKUMANKAMA1*, IKE OLUKA2
1. Department of Biomedical Engineering, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
2. Department of Agricultural and Bioresource Engineering, Enugu State University of Technology, Nigeria.
Afr. J Pharm Res Dev; Volume 18(2): 738-750; 2026
ABSTRACT
Despite the widespread knowledge of the use of Picralima nitida in traditional medicine, its phenolic-rich bioactive component remains inadequately researched for safety and organ-protective benefits in management of diabetes. Therefore, this study investigated the toxicity, hypoglycaemic and hepatoprotective effects of the phenolic extract of Picralima nitida leaves in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats. Phenolic constituents were extracted through hydro-methanolic maceration, solvent partitioning, and ferric-chloride confirmation, while acute toxicity was evaluated using Lorke’s method. Eighteen (18) rats were allocated into six groups and treated with phenolic extract (200, 400, 600 mg/kg), glibenclamide (3 mg/kg) as standard drug, or saline (normal control) for 14 days. Fasting blood glucose, body weight, hematological indices (RBC, PCV, Hb, WBC, PLT, MCV, MCH, MCHC), and liver function biomarkers (ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin fractions, total protein, albumin, globulin) were determined using standard glucometric, hematology analyzer, and spectrophotometric procedures. Data were collected in triplicate and analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA and t-tests (p < 0.05). Results showed that P. nitida phenolic extract exhibited a high safety profile with LSD greater than 5000 mg/kg. Acute and sub-acute studies showed significant, dose-dependent glucose reductions, with the 600 mg/kg dose producing the strongest effect (up to 27.6% reduction at 4h), surpassing glibenclamide. Extract treatment attenuated diabetes-induced weight loss and produced marked hematological improvements: RBC, PCV, and Hb increased significantly across all doses, with near-normalization at 600 mg/kg; WBC and platelet elevations were significantly reduced (P<0.05), MCV, MCH, and MCHC showed partial improvement. Hepatic injury markers improved significantly, as ALT, AST, ALP, and bilirubin levels decreased significantly, while total protein, albumin, and globulin increased in a dose-dependent manner, reflecting restored hepatocellular integrity. Phenolic extract of P. nitida was found to demonstrate potent hyperglycaemic and hepatoprotective effects with high safety, supporting its therapeutic potential as a plant-based adjunct in diabetes management.
Keywords: Picralima nitida, Biomarkers, Hyperglycaemia, Phenol, Liver function, Toxicity.
Email of correspondence: [email protected]
https://doi.org/10.59493/ajopred/2026.2.4 ISSN: 0794-800X (print); 1596-2431 (online)