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In vitro anti-hyperglycemia properties of the aqueous stem bark extract from Strychnos henningsii (Gilg)

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Abstract

Strychnos henningsii (SH) is a plant commonly used in southern African traditional medicine for the management of diabetes mellitus. Previous in vivo studies showed that a stem bark extract improves glycemic control in a diabetic animal model. Meanwhile, the mechanism of action has not been elucidated. The present study therefore investigated various in vitro models known to target glucose homeostasis and its direct complications. The plant extract was found to stimulate both basal and insulin stimulated glucose uptake in differentiated 3T3-L1 cells but not in Chang liver cells. The effect on 3T3-L1 cells appears independent of PPARγ as the extract did not stimulate adipogenesis. Although, SH extract was inhibitory toward intestinal alpha glucosidase, the physiological relevance is doubtful based on the recommended dosages. The extract strongly inhibited protein glycation which, at least in part, may be explained by the antioxidant and phenolic content of this plant. Cytotoxicity in Chang liver cells yielded an IC50 value of 130.0 μg/mL raising concern that continual exposure to this herbal remedy may initiate hepatotoxicity. The finding from this study suggests that SH extract may attenuate hyperglycemia through enhanced peripheral tissue glucose utilization.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa for their financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa

    Sunday Oyedemi & Graeme. Bradley

  2. Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, P. O. Box 77000, Port Elizabeth, 6031, South Africa

    Trevor Koekemoer & Maryna van de Venter

  3. Department of Botany, University of Fort Hare, Alice, 5700, South Africa

    Anthony Afolayan

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  1. Sunday Oyedemi
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  2. Trevor Koekemoer
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  3. Graeme. Bradley
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  4. Maryna van de Venter
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  5. Anthony Afolayan
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Correspondence to Anthony Afolayan.

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Oyedemi, S., Koekemoer, T., Bradley, G. et al. In vitro anti-hyperglycemia properties of the aqueous stem bark extract from Strychnos henningsii (Gilg). Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries 33, 120–127 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-013-0120-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-013-0120-8

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