Evaluation of Anti-Diabetic and Anti-Hyperlipidemic Activities of Hydro-Alcoholic Crude Extract of the Shoot Tips of Crinum abyssinicum Hochst. ex A. Rich (Amaryllidaceae) in Mice

BACKGROUND: Despite the availability of synthetic antihyperglycaemic medications on the market, diabetes is on the rise. Though not scientifically proven, the Crinum abyssinicum Hochst. ex A. Rich. (Amaryllidaceae) has been used traditionally to treat diabetes. Crinum abyssinicum was tested in mice to see if it had anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. METHODS: The hydro-alcoholic extract of Crinum abyssinicum shoot tips doses (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg) were administered to normoglycemic, oral glucose-loaded mice, and single and repeated dose-treated streptozotocin-induced diabetic model. Then, the blood glucose levels were measured for normoglycemic, oral glucose loaded and single dose treated streptozotocin model. Whereas in repeated dose-treated streptozotocin induced diabetic model, blood glucose level, body weight, and lipid profiles were measured. RESULTS: After oral administration, all extract doses (100 mg/kg (p < 0.01), 200 mg/kg (p < 0.001), and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001)) significantly reduced blood glucose level of normal mice as compared to the control group. Significant reduction of post-prandial glucose was achieved with crude extract at a tested dose of 100 mg/kg (p < 0.05) both at 1st and 2nd hours; 200 mg/kg (p < 0.01) at the 1st hour and (p < 0.001) 2nd hours, and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.001) at the 1st and 2nd hours as compared to the negative control. In diabetic mice, the crude extract 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg; and glibenclamide 5 mg/kg significantly reduced (p < 0.001) blood glucose level on the 14th day as compared to the negative control. All doses of crude extract significantly improved the lipid profiles and the bodyweight of diabetic mice. CONCLUSION: These findings revealed that the hydro-alcoholic extract of Crinum abyssinicum shoot tips possess significant antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, and body weight improvements in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Besides, it showed hypoglycaemic and anti-hyperglycaemic activities on normoglycemic and oral glucose loaded mice, respectively. These justify the claimed use of the plant in ameliorating diabetes mellitus in Ethiopian folk medicine.