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Planta Med 1977; 31(4): 367-374
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1097545
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

THE EFFECT OF FOETIDIN FROM MOMORDICA FOETIDA ON BLOOD GLUCOSE LEVEL OF ALBINO RATS

V. O. Marquis, T. A. Adanlawo, A. A. Olaniyi
  • Faculty of Health Sciences Division of Human Biology, University of Ife, Ile–Ife Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, University of Ife, Ile–Ife
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Publication Date:
13 January 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Attempts have been made to investigate the effect of foetidin on blood glucose levels of fasting and alloxan treated albino rats. Insulin, a standard antidiabetic agent was used for comparative studies.

From these experiments the following conclusions were drawn:

  • (a) That foetidin (1 mg/kg) lowered the blood glucose levels of fasting rats over the experimental period of 18 hours comparable with that produced by insulin (1 unit/kg).

  • (b) That foetidin (1 mg/kg) at 1 hour and 16 hours after the administration of alloxan had no antidiabetic effect whilst insulin behaved as expected of an antidiabetic agent.

  • (c) Foetidin is not readily soluble in physiological solutions hence a suspension had to be prepared, this may account for its seeming delayed onset of action.

  • (d) Its unsatisfactory action in alloxan-treated rats may be due to the absence of synergistic compounds which may be present in the whole plant or fruits as used in folkloric medicinal preparations.