Publication:

Hyperglycaemia lowering activity and hypoglycaemic risk assessment of Sarenta, an Ivorian traditional herbal remedy

Background Diabetes remains a major public health problem for which traditional medicine is a better therapeutic alternative for low-income populations, including African populations. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of Sarenta, an herbal preparation used in Ivorian traditional medicine as anti-diabetic, on hyperglycaemia and on basic glycaemia.

Methods Hyperglycaemia lowering activity was led in rats receiving glucose at 5 g/kg body weight by gavage after oral pre-treatment with either Sarenta at 125, 206 or 209.5 mg/kg b. wt., either glibenclamide at 10 mg/kg b. wt., or physiological saline solution. Hypoglycaemic risk was assessed by administering the same doses of Sarenta to native i.e. NaCl-treated rats. For both tests, blood glucose was measured before any substance was administered and then every hour for 4 hours.

Results After 4 hours, Sarenta at 206 mg/kg b. wt. and 209.5 mg/kg b. wt. significantly reduced the induced hyperglycaemia in rats by 33.87% and 37.39%, respectively. The degree of the hyperglycaemia lowering effect of the remedy at these two doses was not significantly different from that of glibenclamide. In addition, Sarenta at 209.5 mg/kg b. wt. resulted in a significant reduction of basic blood sugar to 29.78% four hours after administration.

Conclusions The remedy Sarenta has a hyperglycaemia lowering activity that could partially justify its traditional use in the treatment of diabetes. However, considering its hypoglycemic effect, precautions should be taken when using this traditional medicine.