PHYTOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS AND ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF CRUDE METHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF RAPHANUS RAPHANISTRUM L. (BRASSICACEAE)

Abstract

ABSTRACT 
Raphanus raphanistrum is a rapidly growing, cool-season annual crop cultivated in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria. Originally native to Europe and Asia, this plant belongs to the Brassicaceae family. Fresh leaves were harvested from mature white radish plants in Jos for this study. Raphanus raphanistrum can grow as either an annual or biennial plant. Preliminary phytochemical analysis of the Methanol leaf extract revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, and tannins. Conversely, the blood glucose levels in extract treated albino rats at the dose of 800 mg/kg after 8 and 24 hours of administration was found to increase. This shows that the plant extract at the dose of 800 mg/kg has lost its hypoglyceamic effect compared to others doses used. The Methanol Leaf extract of Raphanus raphanistrum demonstrated a moderate antidiabetic effect 
which was not dose dependent even though the activity is not comparable to that of the standard drug used (insulin).