ABSTRACT

The hypoglycaemic activity of ethanolic extracts of the leaf and seed of Telfairia occidentalis were compared. Effect of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the leaf and seed of the plant on blood glucose concentration in rats was also compared. The extracts were administered orally to white albino rats (Wistar strain) and blood was collected from the tail vein of the rats and glucose concentration determined at 0, 1, 2 and 4 hours after treatment with One Touch glucometer. The results showed that aqueous extracts of leaf and seed of the plant did not lower blood glucose concentration at the dose administered (500 mg/kg). The ethanolic leaf extracts reduced blood glucose concentration significantly while the ethanolic seed extract did not. It could therefore be concluded that the hypoglycemic component(s) of Telfairia occidentalis is/or are in higher concentration in the leaf than the seed, and is better extracted by ethanol than water.