Hypoglycemic Effect of the Hydroalcoholic Extract from Vallea stipularis L. f. bark in an Animal Model

Abstract

Introduction: The prevalence of diabetes, especially type 2, is increasing disproportionately. In response to this problem, the hypoglycemic effect of the hydroalcoholic extract from the bark of Vallea stipularis L. f. “ccenccoy” was studied.

Objective: To evaluate the hypoglycemic effect of Vallea stipularis L. f. bark extract in Holtzman strain rats.

Methods: The sample was collected in the district of Churcampa, province of Huancavelica. Identification of secondary metabolites was performed through phytochemical screening. The hypoglycemic activity was determined using the alloxan-induced hyperglycemia method. Thirty-five male Holtzman strain rats weighing between 180 and 210 g were used, distributed into seven groups: a negative control administered 2 mL/kg of distilled water; a positive control administered alloxan 180 mg/kg; standard groups administered glibenclamide 5 mg/kg and insulin 4 IU/kg. The experimental groups were administered the hydroalcoholic extract of Vallea stipularis at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg.

Results: The secondary metabolites present in the hydroalcoholic extract of Vallea stipularis L. f. bark were mainly flavonoids, followed by tannins, cardiotonic glycosides, and reducing sugars. The results of the Tukey multiple comparison analysis show that the comparative effect of glibenclamide and insulin did not differ significantly.

The 200 and 400 mg doses of the hydroalcoholic extract of Vallea stipularis bark demonstrated hypoglycemic activity, with the 400 mg/kg dose being more effective, significantly reducing hyperglycemia similarly to glibenclamide (reference). Thin-layer chromatography with a quercetin standard showed that the ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions confirmed the presence of flavonoids.

Conclusions: The hydroalcoholic extract of Vallea stipularis bark exhibited the greatest hypoglycemic effect at a dose of 400 mg/kg, similar to the standard.