Njeri L Kimani, Njangiru IK, Eliud NM Njagi and George O Orinda
Diabetes mellitus in Kenya is of public health concern since it causes significant mortality and complications that are long term. Though conventional drugs are used in the management of diabetes mellitus they are expensive, unavailable and also have numerous side effects. Berberis are medicinally important and are used for various purposes. Berberis holstii has traditionally been used in the management of diabetes; however, the efficacy of this herb needs to be evaluated scientifically. The study aimed at determining the in vivo antidiabetic effects of root extracts of Berberis holstii in alloxaninduced diabetic male mice. In this study, eight groups of animals with five mice each were used. The reductions in blood glucose relative to their initial values were determined after oral and intraperitoneal administration of 25, 48.4, 93.5, 180.9, and 350 mg/kg body weight. Standard hypoglycemic used to compare results were 200 mg/kg body weight (4.6 mg of glibenclamide) for oral route and 1 IU/kg body weight dose of insulin for an intraperitoneal route. The levels of glucose were measured at the start of the experiment and repeated at intervals of 2 hours up to 10 hours and at 24 hours after administering the drug. Significant (ρ<0.05) reduction in blood sugar relative to their initial values was determined for all treated diabetic groups at the end of the experiment. The composition of phytochemicals was determined using standard procedures. The results were analyzed using ANOVA and post- ANOVA. The results showed that the plant extract at 25, 48.4, 93.5, 180.9, and 350 mg/kg body weight administered effectively reduced blood glucose levels (up to 30% reduction) which could be associated with the phytochemicals present which possesses antidiabetic activities. The extracts contained tannins, flavonoids, saponins, phenols and alkaloids. The study, therefore, recommends the use of Berberis holstii in the management of diabetes mellitus.