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Mfitundinda et al
INOSR APPLIED SCIENCES 9(1):39-45, 2022
©INOSR PUBLICATIONS
International Network Organization for Scientific Research ISSN: 2705-165X
Evaluation of the hypoglycemic activity of aqueous extract of Albizia
chinensis (Osbeck) Merr stem bark in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar
rats
Wilberforce Mfitundinda, John Odda and Claude Kirimuhuzya

Department of Pharmacology, Kampala International University. Uganda.

ABSTRACT
WHO estimates show global diabetes prevalence as 463 million adults as of 2021. Due to
shortcomings of conventional antidiabetic drugs especially with regards to adverse effects
and high cost, use of extracts from medicinal plants, like Albizia chinensis, has come up as
one of the alternative ways of managing diabetes. Therefore, this study was undertaken to
validate the hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of the stem bark of Albizia chinensis.
The aqueous stem bark of extract of Albizia chinensis obtained by cold maceration. The
hypoglycaemic activity was assessed using Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced type II
diabetes mellitus and using with metformin as the positive control. The plant extract also
showed significant reduction of blood glucose levels comparable to those of metformin. The
aqueous extract of the stem bark of Albizia chinensis showed hypoglycemic activity against
streptozotocin induced type II DM.
Keywords: Hypoglycemic activity, Albizia chinensis (Osbeck) Merr, stem bark and
streptozotocin.

INTRODUCTION
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a chronic disease
characterized by the inability of the body
to produce or respond to the hormone
insulin or both, resulting into abnormal
carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism
and elevated levels of glucose in the blood.
Insulin is an anabolic hormone produced
by the β-cells of the Islets of Langerhans in
the pancreas [1,2,3,4]. The major function
of the insulin hormone is to facilitate
carbohydrate metabolism in the body.
Insulin function involves a number of
integrated intracellular mechanisms that
start with synthesis in the β-cells of the
pancreas, to partially being cleared by
hepatocytes, to its movement through a
delivery system and subsequent action on
the vascular endothelium and also on its
roles at adipocytes, muscle fibers and the
brain, and finally to its degradation in the
kidney [1]. Frequent urination, excessive
thirst, unexplained weight loss, severe
hunger, unexpected eyesight changes,
tingling or numbness in the hands or feet,
feeling very weary most of the time, and
very dry skin are the main signs and
symptoms of DM. However, some patients
may not show any symptoms at all
[5,6,7,8]. According to [2], the disease is
classified into different types namely: -
Type 1 (T1DM), type 2 (T2DM), other
specific types and unclassified diabetes.
T1DM is mainly characterized by beta-cell
destruction, usually leading to absolute
insulin deficiency mainly due to auto
immunity. Although the prevalence and
incidence trends of T1DM are unknown,
data from affluent nations indicates an
annual increase in the incidence of T1DM
in children of between 3% and 4%. Other
specific types of diabetes are mainly due
to genetic defects of beta-cell function
which may, among others, include defects
in the functioning of chromosome 7-
glucokinase (MODY2), chromosome 13 -
IPF-1 (MODY4 as well as limitations in
insulin action (for example in
leprechaunism and lipoatrophic diabetes)
and pathological conditions of the
exocrine pancreas [1,9,10,11]. T2DM,
which is the subject of this study, is
characterized by a range of causes which
may range from predominantly insulin
resistance, with a degree of insulin

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Mfitundinda et al
INOSR APPLIED SCIENCES 9(1):39-45, 2022
deficiency, to a predominantly secretory
defect, with or without insulin resistance.
It has been reported that 90% to 95% of the
global diabetes figures are T2DM, with low-
and middle income countries accounting
for the highest proportions [3; 4; 2].
The World Health Organisation (WHO)
reported a global diabetes prevalence of
422 million people as of 2014, that number
having risen from 108 million people in
1980. During the same period of 1980 –
2014, the global prevalence of diabetes
among adults over 18 years of age rose
from 4.7% in 1980 to 8.5% in 2014. WHO
has also reported diabetes mellitus as the
major cause of heart attacks, blindness,
kidney failure, stroke and lower- limb
amputations (Alberti & Zimmet, 1998). By
2016, a total of 1.6 million deaths,
globally, could be directly attributed to
METHODOLOGY
Study design
This study was conducted using an
experimental approach. The study
experimental setups started with Albizia
chinensis plant material collection, which
was followed by drying, pulverizing and
extraction. Hyperglycemia was induced
using streptozotocin following a practical
guide for induction of type-2 diabetes in
rats as suggested by [6]. The oral
hyperglycemic activity of aqueous extract
of Albizia chinensis stem bark in the
diabetic rats was then evaluated using
metformin as the comparator for oral
hypoglycaemic activity.
Study setting
Plant material drying, pulverizing and
extractions were performed in KIU-WC
Pharmacology laboratory with the animals
being kept under observation in the animal
facility at KIU-WC Pharmacology
laboratory. All experimental activities were
performed at KIU-WC Pharmacology,
Histopathology and KIU–TH Hematology
laboratories.
Plant collection and identification
The plant stem bark of Albizia chinensis
was collected from Orushenyi village, in
Bushenyi -Ishaka Municipality in Bushenyi
District. This area was specifically selected
as a site of plant material collection
because there was undocumented use of
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diabetes [1]. The complications that have
been documented from untreated DM are
enormous, and the disease being chronic
in nature has not helped matters at all.
Albuminuria, nephropathy, diabetic
neuropathy and diabetic retinopathy are
the greatest complications known to arise
from untreated DM. In Egypt alone, a
prevalence of albuminuria (15.4-26.5%),
nephropathy (3.3-7.0%), diabetic
neuropathy (17.7-26 0%) and diabetic
retinopathy (16.3 – 23.4%) was reported in
2013 [5].
Aim of the study
The aim of this study was to assess the
hypoglycemic activity of the aqueous
extract of the stem bark of Albizia
chinensis in streptozotocin-induced
diabetic Wistar rats.
the plant for DM management by the
population. Once the plant stem bark was
collected, a sample with other associated
plant parts were carefully packaged and
transported to a plant taxonomist at
Mbarara University of Science and
Technology for identification and
authentication, for which an identification
numbers of MW007 was provided.
Storage, drying and pulverization
The stem bark sample of Albizia chinensis
was stored and dried in a shade to constant
weight. The stem bark shavings were
spread on a dry cemented tables in an
isolated room and changed daily until
constant weight was achieved. Dried stem
bark material was coarsely powdered,
sieved with a size #40 mesh sieve and then
stored in an air tight container at room
temperature after weighing until
extraction time.
Extraction
A total of 540g of powdered sample
material was macerated in 5 liters of water
that was already distilled, at 250C followed
by shaking at intervals up to 2 days (48
hours) and then the mixture was strained
with cotton wool and then filtered by use
of a #1-Whatman filter paper. Then, using
a rotary evaporator at 40°C under reduced
pressure, the filtrate was then
concentrated, then drying at room
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Mfitundinda et al
INOSR APPLIED SCIENCES 9(1):39-45, 2022
temperature was allowed to take place. The
dried crude extract was then stored in a
refrigerator at 4°C until it was used for
actual animal experiments.
Stock solution preparation
Stock solution preparation was performed
through dissolving 5g of the extract in ten
milliliters of water free from impurities to
obtain a concentration of stock solution of
500mg/ml. Preparing the stock solution
was only done at the time it is was needed
to be administered to the animals. The
doses of the extract to give orally to the
animals were arrived at based on
calculation using Ghosh’s formula [7]:

Weight of the animal (kg)

Volume given to each animal (ml) = x dose [mg/Kg]
Extract concentration (mg/ml)

Experimental animals and procedure
All procedural handling of animals was
performed according to WHO guidelines
(2004) and humane care and use of
guidelines on laboratory use of animals [8].
Wistar rats, both male and female aged 7-8
weeks and weighing about 150-220g, were
used for this study. Only non-pregnant
females that had never given birth were
considered. Standard cages were used to
accommodate the animals throughout the
study and they were fed on a standard
regulations prescribed feeds and hydrated
with water given for as much as was
necessary, with 12 hour of access day light
and 12 hour of night time. These selected
experimental animals were kept under the
stated conditions for five days in order to
allow them time to acclimatize with the
environmental conditions before initiation
of experiments.
The animals were divided into five groups
of five animals each as indicated below:

Table 1: Grouping and Animal treatments

Group Treatment

Group I These were untreated diabetic rats which received 1 ml of distilled water (Negative
control)

Group II The positive control group that was treated with the oral hypoglycemic drug
(metformin)

Group III Was the diabetic model group containing STZ- treated surviving diabetic rats which
were treated with the bark extract of Albizia chinensis

Group Diabetic rats treated with low dose (200mg/kg Bwt) of Albizia chinensis bark extract
IIIa:

Group Diabetic rats treated with medium range dose (400mg/kg) of Albizia chinensis bark
IIIb extract

Group Diabetic rats treated with high dose (800mg/kg) of Albizia chinensis bark extract
IIIc:

Source: [9]
peritoneal injections of streptozotocin
Streptozotocin induction of diabetes (STZ) solution (Agscientific brand; T 858
mellitus 452 9925, San Diego, CA 92121). The STZ
Diabetes was induced following the solution was prepared at the very time for
method by [10]. Animals were the purpose and administered at a dose of
administered 3 (multi dose) intra-

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Mfitundinda et al
INOSR APPLIED SCIENCES 9(1):39-45, 2022
35mg/kgb.w. in 0.1M cold citrate buffer & Data analysis
pH 4.5. Animal blood samples were Data was entered in MS Excel, then
collected by bleeding the animals via the exported to STATA (Version 15, Stata Corp
tails after 72 hours, to determine blood LLC, College Station, Texas 77845-4512)
glucose level using a glucometer (On-Call® software for statistical analysis.
Plus Model Number: G113-111). Animals Experimental results were analyzed by one
were considered to be diabetic if the blood way analysis of variance (ANOVA). All
glucose levels were consistently above 250 results were expressed as Mean ± SD and a
mg/dl over a range of time [10]. statistical significance was considered at p
≤ 0.05. The Benforoni post-hoc test was
used to identify the location of the
differences across groups.
RESULTS
Results of the oral hypoglycemic tests extract and positive control drug
of Albizia chinensis stem bark extract (metformin) measurements of variations in
After the induction of Type II diabetes, blood glucose levels and changes in body
treatment of the animals with the plant weight over a 15-day period gave results
that are presented in Table 2 below:

Table 2: Table showing oral hypoglycemic effect of Albizia chinensis stem bark extract
on streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats
Weight/g, Mean ± SEM
Test p– Negative Positive High dose Medium dose Low dose
intervals values control Control (800mg/kg.bw) (400mg/kg.bw) (200mg/kg.bw)
(Untreated) (Metformin
500 mg/kg.bw)
Baseline 0.2313 168.9±1.0 177.8±1.0 167.6±1.0 175.8±1.0 162.3±1.0
5 Day
th
0.2313 168.9±1.0 177.8±1.0 167.6±1.0 175.8±1.0 162.3±1.0
10 Dayth
0.1018 151.6±3.0 158.7±6.2 143.0±5.1 162.4±8.6 142.3±5.9
15 Dayth
0.0827 148.1±3.0 157.7±5.5 144.3±5.4 161.0±8.0 140.2±5.6
Glucose mmol/ml Mean ± SEM
Test p- Negative Positive High dose Medium dose Low dose
intervals values control Control (800mg/kg) (400mg/kg) (200mg/kg)
(Untreated) (Metformin
500 mg/kg.bw)
Baseline 0.59 11.76±0.44 10.82±0.97 10.22±0.93 11.36±0.66 10.30±0.82
5 Day
th
<0.0001 10.49±1.03 6.69±1.05* 6.40±1.09* 7.10±1.02* 7.21±1.02*
10th Day 0.0214 7.60±1.01 6.44±1.06 6.33±1.07# 7.10±1.01 7.08±1.01
15 Dayth
<0.0001 8.40±0.27 5.92±0.13^ 5.74±0.24^ 5.66±0.30^ 6.32±0.476^
*p<0.001; # p=0.039; ^p≤0.001

When one-way ANOVA was performed extract treatment groups, implying that
pertaining weight variation, there was no the extract did not have a significant effect
significant mean differences between the on the weight of the treated animals. When
negative control (untreated group) and the a Bonferroni post-hoc test was performed
plant extract treatment groups. With to determine where the differences truly
regard to blood glucose levels, even after came from; *p<0.001; # p=0.039;
the fast treatment, there were significant ^p≤0.001; there were statistically
mean differences between the negative significant mean differences between the
control (untreated group) and the plant negative control (untreated group) and

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Mfitundinda et al
INOSR APPLIED SCIENCES 9(1):39-45, 2022
plant extract treatment groups and this
was across all treatment groups. This
implies that the lowering of glucose levels
DISCUSSION
Hypoglycemic effect of the crude
aqueous stem bark extract of Albizia
chinensis
The Albizia chinensis aqueous stem bark
extract showed no statistically significant
mean differences in weight between the
negative control and the treatment groups.
This implies that the plant extract has no
potential of causing change in the general
weight of the animals. This finding differs
from that observed of Albizia lebbeck
where it was observed that the species
alters organ and body weight even at low
doses [11]. The aqueous stem bark extract
of Albizia chinensis showed significant
hypoglycemic activity in streptozotocin-
induced diabetic Wistar rats at all
treatment doses of 200, 400 and 800mg/kg
body weight at p=<0.0001 p=0.0214, and
p=<0.0001 for 5 , 10 and 15 day of
th th th
monitoring respectively, compared to the
positive (non-treated) control group. This
finding validates the claim by indigenous
people of Wakiso, Kampala and Mukono of
using Albizia chinensis for the
management of Type II DM [12]. The
standard drug used for comparison was
metformin. The aqueous stem bark extract
of Albizia chinensis appeared to elicit
significant hypoglycemic activity p≤0.001
when compared to the negative control
group, however on comparison with
metformin, there was no statistical
difference observed. This hypoglycemic
activity confirmation from our study about
Albizia chinensis are consistent with earlier
anti-diabetic activity confirmations of
other Genera of Albizia including species
like Albizia richadiana, Albizzia lebbeck,
Albizia odoratissima, Albizia Saman, and
Albizia coriaria [13; 14; 15]. The fact that
there was no statistically significant
difference between the extract and
metformin (the positive control) implies
that the efficacy of the Albizia chinensis
extract is comparatively similar to that of
metformin at the doses used. Although the
43
in plant extract-treated animals across all
doses is unlikely to have occurred by
chance alone
extract used was in crude form, this is a
significant result as it can serve as the
starting point for the development of a
new conventional hypoglycaemic agent
from this plant, considering the fact that
metformin itself was derived from a plant.
However, at this stage, it is not possible to
ascertain the exact compound responsible
for the hypoglycaemic activity and the
mechanism involved. Based on existing
literature, the only plausible ways by
which an Albizia chinensis extract could
possibly be able to elicit hypoglycemic
activity are those that involve the
biologically active phytochemical that
have hypoglycaemic effects which have
been reported in literature. [16] In a
phytochemical analysis of Albizia
chinensis confirmed the presence of
terpenoids, alkaloids, glycosides, saponins
and flavonoids [16] whereas [17] reported
that these mentioned five metabolites
constituents of Albizia chinensis had
antidiabetic properties [17]. The saponins
in Albizia chinensis are also presumed to
elicit antidiabetic activity by increasing
utilization of glucose by the liver,
reduction of the rate of gluconeogenesis
through facilitation of glucose-6-
phasphate and fructose-1,6
bisphosphatase enzyme inhibition which
are two key enzymes in sugar metabolism
and also facilitate improved glucose
oxidation by glucose-6-phasphate
dehydrogenase via the shunt pathway
[18,19,20,21]. The mechanism of action of
flavonoid antidiabetic effect has also been
studied and reported, where the (-)
epicatechin, molecule has been reported to
possess insulin-like activity [19]. This
biomolecule is known to imitate insulin's
action on erythrocyte membrane
acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and has a
strong insulin-like effect on
acetylcholinesterase attached to the
erythrocyte membrane in type II diabetic
patients [19].
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Mfitundinda et al
INOSR APPLIED SCIENCES 9(1):39-45, 2022
CONCLUSION
The current study has demonstrated that a
crude aqueous stem bark extract of Albizia
chinensis possesses hypoglycemic activity
comparable to that of metformin against
type II DM in streptozotocin-induced
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