Antioxidant and antidiabetic properties, and safety profile of methanolic extract of Garcinia kola seed (bitter kola) – Investigational Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is growing global health concerns and conventional treatments for diabetes present limitations, prompting exploration of alternative therapeutic approaches. Garcinia kola seed from the family Clusiaceae is known for its medicinal properties and it is used as a traditional medicine for antidiabetic management. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemicals, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities as well as safety profile of the methanolic extract of Garcinia kola seeds.

Methods: Antioxidant activity was conducted using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assay. Antidiabetic assay was carried out in hyperglycemic-induced diabetic rats. The safety profile of the extract was obtained by using acute toxicity model using rats in five groups (n=6).

Results: Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, terpenoids, reducing sugars, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, and alkaloids in the extract. Antioxidant activity showed IC₅₀ of 297.55 µg /mL for the extract and IC₅₀ of 29.06 µg/mL for gallic acid. The total antioxidant capacity value obtained was 269.05 mg GAE/g for the extract, highlighting substantial radical scavenging ability. The antidiabetic assay indicated a significant reduction in blood glucose levels among treated diabetic rats. The methanolic extract of Garcinia kola seeds demonstrated significant antidiabetic activity, with the 300 mg dose and 500 mg dose achieving effects comparable to and greater than metformin respectively. The acute toxicity studies confirmed the safety of the extract up to 5000 mg/kg.

Conclusion: Garcinia kola seed extract can be used as both antidiabetic and antioxidant agents; the extract showed no toxicity in rats. However, further investigation is needed to identify the exact active compounds responsible for the observed activities.

Keywords: Garcinia kola, antidiabetic activity, antioxidant potential, acute toxicity, DPPH assay.

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