Abstract

Crinum jagus bulbs are used as a form of therapy for various diseases in traditional medicine. Crinum jagus bulbs belongs to the onion family of Liliaceae. This study investigated the acetone extract of Crinum jagus bulbs for its anti-diabetic effects in rats. The plant extract was evaluated at 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg through the oral route for 14 days. Hypoglycaemic activity was evaluated in alloxan induced diabetic rats using glibenclamide as standard drug. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (150mg/kg body weight). The results revealed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, steroids, alkaloids, carbohydrates, reducing sugars and saponins. The extract exhibited a significant (P<0.05) reduction in blood glucose level at 250 mg/kg and 500mg/kg at 2hours during the acute study while it showed a significant (P<0.05) reduction in blood glucose level on day 1. The findings of this study show that the acetone extract of Crinum jagus may possess anti-diabetic activity as compared to the control.