Phytochemical Constitutents and Antidiabetic Property of Cola nitida Seeds on Alloxan-Induced Diabetes Mellitus in Rats

The seeds of Cola nitida were investigated for their anti-diabetic properties. The extracts were obtained by maceration in cold water. Alloxan was used to induce diabetes mellitus (DM) in the rats at 180mg/kg body weight and diabetes was confirmed after 48 hours. The Phytochemical analyses of the plants showed the presence of tannin, flavonoid, terpernoid, cardiac-gylcoside, and alkaloids. Anthraquinone and saponin were observed to be absent. Cola nitida was also observed to cause a reduction in blood glucose level from 599±0.667mg/dl (diabetic control) to 170±0.577mg/dl (extract treated group). The extract showed a significant (P<0.05) decrease of blood glucose level in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Cola nitida aqueous extract showed a higher level of potency when compared to a known anti-diabetic drug (Glanil).