Abstract
Effects of Neocarya macrophylla Chloroform Fraction on Glycemic Control and Tissue Integrity in Experimental Type 2 Diabetes
Sadiq Muazu Maifata1, Godwin Obadiah2, Aminat Anura3, Aminat Suleman- Alabi4, Zayyanu Umar Usman5, Lawal Abdulmumini Ahmed6, Amina Yusuf Jega7
Keywords: Neocarya macrophylla (Nm), chloroform fraction, antidiabetic activity, high-fat diet, streptozotocin, diabetes
DOI: 10.63475/yjm.v5i2.0430
DOI URL: https://doi.org/10.63475/yjm.v5i2.0430
Publish Date: 20-07-2026
Download PDFPages: 405 - 418
Downloads: 4
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Author Affiliation:
1 Senior Lecturer/Research Fellow, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Federal University of Lafia, Lafia, Nigeria
2 Master Student, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Federal University of Lafia, Lafia, Nigeria
3 PhD Candidate, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Federal University of Lafia, Lafia, Nigeria
4 Lecturer I/Research Associate, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Federal University of Lafia, Lafia, Nigeria
5 Professor of Endocrine Physiology, Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, College of Health Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
6 Associate Professor of Natural Product, Department of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria
7 Associate Professor, Histology, Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Federal University of Lafia, Lafia, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with persistent hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hepatic dysfunction, renal impairment, and progressive tissue injury. Despite the availability of conventional antidiabetic drugs, limitations relating to cost, accessibility, and adverse effects continue to drive interest in medicinal plants with potential therapeutic value. Neocarya macrophylla (Nm) has been traditionally used in the management of diabetes; however, its pharmacological efficacy remains insufficiently validated. This study investigated the antidiabetic and organ-protective effects of the chloroform fraction of Nm leaves in high-fat diet/ streptozotocin–induced type 2 diabetic Wistar rats.
Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly assigned into four groups (n = 6): normal control, diabetic control, Nm chloroform fraction-treated (180 mg/kg), and metformintreated (200 mg/kg). Type 2 diabetes was induced using a high-fat diet followed by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for 4 weeks. Fasting blood glucose (FBG), body mass index, liver function indices, lipid profile, renal biomarkers, hematological parameters, and histopathological alterations in hepatic, renal, and pancreatic tissues were evaluated.
Results: Administration of the chloroform fraction significantly reduced FBG levels by −60% (210 mg/dL to 85 mg/dL) compared with diabetic controls (P < 0.001). Treatment with the chloroform fraction of Nm significantly reduced FBG compared with the diabetic control (P = 0.0055), improved Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (P = 0.0032) and Homeostatic Model Assessment of β-cell Function (P = 0.0003), reduced aspartate aminotransferase (P < 0.001), alanine aminotransferase (P < 0.001), urea and creatinine (P < 0.05), improved lipid profile (P = 0.001–0.004), and restored pancreatic, hepatic, and renal histoarchitecture (P < 0.001).
Conclusions: The observed antidiabetic activity of the chloroform fraction of Nm may be attributed, at least in part, to bioactive phytoconstituents previously reported in Nm, including flavonoids (quercetin, catechin, epicatechin, and catechin glycosides), phenolic compounds, triterpenoids, steroids such as stigmasterol, and alkaloids. These compounds have been associated with anti-hyperglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and insulin-sensitizing activities in experimental models of diabetes and may contribute to the glucose-lowering effects observed in the present study. This calls for further mechanistic and toxicological investigations.