Author(s):

Sarkodie JA, Squire SA, Oppong Bekoe E, Kretchy IA, Domozoro CYF, Ahiagbe KMJ, Twumasi MA, Edoh DA, Adjei De-Graft G, Sakyiama M, Lamptey VK, Obresi AS, Duncan JL, Debrah P, Frimpong-Manso S, N’guessan BB, Nyarko AK

Abstract: Ehretia cymosa Thon. (Family Boraginaceae) is a shrub used by inhabitants of several communities in Ghana to treat diabetes mellitus and treatment of diarrhoea in indigenous poultry species including Guinea fowls (Numida meleagris). In this study, the antihyperglycaemic, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of Ehretia cymosa was investigated. A 70% ethanolic extract of the whole plant of Ehretia cymosa was assessed for its in vitro anti-oxidant and antimicrobial activities by antioxidant and agar diffusion assays respectively. Antihyperglycaemic activity was investigated in vivo in Sprague Dawley rats while modulatory effects on intestinal absorption of glucose were also determined ex vivo. The extract showed a significant dose independent reduction of the fasting blood glucose level and the rat intestinal sacs had a significant decrease in glucose absorption. The extract showed strong antioxidant activity and also exhibited inhibitory activity against P. aeruginosa, E. coli, B. subtilis and S. aureus. These findings justify the folkloric use of the extract of E. cymosa as an antidiabetic medicine and as well as antibacterial agents for susceptible species.

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