Antidiabetic Activity of Ethanolic Leaf Extracts of Ficus exasperata (Moraceae) and Sida acuta (Malvaceae) in Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats: Phytochemical Profile, Body Weight and Fasting Blood Glucose

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency, insulin resistance, or both, with rising global burden. Phytochemical screening is an important aspect of medicinal plant research because it helps to identify the bioactive constituents that may be responsible for the observed pharmacological activities from the plant extracts of Sida acuta Aims: The present study evaluates the antidiabetic effects of ethanolic leaf extracts of Ficus exasperata and Sida acuta, administered singly and in combination, in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, and to relate the effects to their quantitative phytochemical profiles. Study Design: Experimental animal study involving a 28-day antidiabetic treatment in alloxan-induced diabetic Wistar rats, with assessment of phytochemical profile, body weight, and fasting blood glucose changes. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Applied Biochemistry, Faculty of Biosciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, and Chris Experimental Animal Farm and Research Laboratory, Awka, Nigeria, over a 28-day treatment period. Methodology: Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats using alloxan monohydrate, confirmed by elevated fasting blood glucose. Animals were divided into nine groups: normal control, diabetic untreated control, glibenclamide-treated group, two Sida acuta-treated groups, two Ficus exasperata-treated groups, and two combination-treated groups. Extracts were administered orally for 28 days at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg. Body weight and fasting blood glucose were monitored at baseline, after diabetes confirmation, and weekly during treatment. Quantitative phytochemical analyses of the ethanolic leaf extracts were carried out using standard spectrophotometric procedures. Results: Both extracts contained flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and phenolic compounds. Alloxan induction caused hyperglycaemia and weight loss in diabetic rats. Treatment with the extracts, singly and in combination, improved body weight and reduced fasting blood glucose compared with the diabetic untreated group, with effects close to glibenclamide. Sida acuta at 200 mg/kg showed the most effective antidiabetic activity, producing a 73.63% reduction in fasting blood glucose from 591.57 mg/dL at week 0 to 156.00 mg/dL at week 4. Conclusion: The ethanolic leaf extracts of Ficus exasperata and Sida acuta possess antidiabetic activity that may be linked to their phytochemical composition and bioactive properties.