Phytochemical screening and hypoglycemic effect of methanolic fruit pulp extract of Cucumis sativus in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Phytochemical screening and hypoglycemic effect of methanolic fruit pulp extract of Cucumis sativus on alloxan induced diabetic rats was investigated. The phytochemical analysis of the methanolic fruit pulp extract of C. sativus indicated the presence of saponins, glycosides, terpenes, phenolics, alkaloids, flavonoids, and tannins. The methanolic fruit pulp extract of C. sativus was administered orally to the alloxan induced diabetic rats and it significantly decreased (P<0.05) the fasting blood glucose concentration (mg/dl) from 231.25±1.11 to 82.25±1.55 at 500 mg/kg body weight. The standard antidiabetic drug (Glibenclamide) administered orally at 5 mg/kg body weight also significantly decreased (P<0.05) blood glucose concentration from 189.00±2.42 to 61.00±2.48. This study therefore revealed that the methanolic fruit pulp extract of C. sativus contains active substances with hypoglycemic activity and could be used in the treatment and management of diabetes mellitus.   Key words: Cucumis sativus, hypoglycemic activity, phytochemical screening, alloxan, methanolic.