In vitro antidiabetic potentials of crude saponins extract from Leptodenia hastata and Adansonia digitata leaves

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder of public health concern since it is associated with complications, poor life quality and mortality. Synthetic drugs used in the treatment/management of diabetes are associated with one or more adverse side effects which could harm the patient even though they cure the patient of the condition. Hence, this study was undertaken to investigate the in vitro anti-diabetic properties of crude saponins extracts from Leptodenia hastata and Adansonia digitata L. leaves. The inhibition of glucose uptake by yeast cells and haemoglobin anti-glycation potential of the saponin extracts were evaluated at concentrations ranging between 4~20 mg/ml and 10~25 mg/mL respectively. Results revealed that the highest percentage inhibition of glucose uptake by the yeast cells was observed at 4 mg/ml, however, the percentage increase in glucose uptake by yeast cells for crude saponins from L. hastata (90.17±2.88 %) was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than crude saponins from A. digitata (88.57±0.23 %) but significantly lower (P < 0.05) than the metronidazole percentage increase in glucose uptake by yeast cells (97.22±0.32%). In the haemoglobin anti-glycation potential testing, the crude saponins extracts, as well as the metformin, showed a concentration-dependent activity with the highest percentage of haemoglobin anti-glycation being obtained at the highest tested concentration of 25 mg/mL. No significant difference was observed in the activities of crude saponins of L. hastata (57.50±0.39 %), A. digitata (58.73±1.04 %) and standard drug metformin (59.22±2.95 %). From the results obtained, it is rational to infer that both extracts showed anti-diabetic potentials and may be used in the management/treatment of diabetes or serve as good future promising candidates for the development of antidiabetic agents.