Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Analysis and Antidiabetic Effect of Fractionated Extract of Strophanthus hispidus

Abstract

Strophanthus hispidus DC (Apocynaceae) is a valued African plant that has been used as a remedy of various disease conditions. This study identified compounds present using GC-MS as well as the potential antidiabetic effects of the n-butanol, ethyl acetate, and aqueous fractions. Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) was carried out using the Agilent 7890 A GC with a J&W HP-5MS column (30 m x 0.320 mm i.d. x 0.25 μm). The effects of the fractions (100 mg/kg each) on blood glucose levels, body weight, biochemical parameters, lipid profile, serum insulin, hepatic glycogen, and haemoglobin levels were evaluated in alloxan-induced hyperglycaemic rats. The GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of Decanoic acid methyl ester; methyl 15-acetoxy hexadecanoate; Hydrazine propyl; and Cyclobut-1-enyl methanol. A significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose, creatinine, urea, bilirubin, liver enzymes, and glycosylated haemoglobin levels was observed with all fractions of S. hispidus administered compared to the untreated control. Also, an improvement in body weight, lipid profile, serum insulin, hepatic glycogen, and haemoglobin levels with S. hispidus fractions compared to the untreated control was observed. The study identifies the above-named compounds as potential antidiabetic agents in S. hispidus, with activity observed in both polar and non-polar media, warranting further investigation for compound isolation and characterization.