Evaluation of the Hypoglycemic Activity of Cucumis metuliferus (Cucurbitaceae) Fruit Pulp Extract in Normoglycemic and Alloxan-Induced Hyperglycemic Rats

The hypoglycemic effects of the fruit extract of C. metuliferus was investigated in normoglycemic and alloxaninduced hyperglycemic rats. The results showed that there was an insignificant (P > 0.05) decrease in the blood glucose concentration of normoglycemic rats treated with oral doses of 1000 and 1500 mg/kg of the extract. On the other hand, 500 mg/kg of the fruit extract produced an insignificant (P > 0.05) decrease in blood glucose levels of alloxan-treated rats, while 1000 and 1500 mg/kg oral dose points produced a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the blood glucose concentration of hyperglycemic rats comparable to that produced by tolbutamide. From this study, the data suggested that the fruit extract did not alter the BGC level in normoglycemic rats, but had a potential hypoglycemic property in alloxan-induced hyperglycemic rats.