Evidence Hub

Vasodilatory and hypoglycaemic effects of two pyrano-isoflavone extractives from Eriosema kraussianum N. E. Br. [Fabaceae] rootstock in experimental rat models

Ojewole JA, Drewes SE, Khan F

Phytochemistry, 2006

Abstract

Zulu traditional health practitioners have claimed that the roots of Eriosema kraussianum N. E. Br. (Fabaceae) and other Eriosema species (Zulu indigenous umbrella name of "uBangalala") are effective remedies for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and/or impotence. In order to scientifically appraise the significance and contribution of Eriosema kraussianum to its ethnomedical use as "uBangalala" and "VIAGRA substitute", the present study was undertaken to investigate the vasodilatory and hypoglycaemic properties of the two main bioactive chemical compounds obtained from E. kraussianum, in experimental rat models, using sildenafil citrate (VIAGRA) as the reference drug for comparison. The two E. kraussianum rootstock constituents (K1 and K2, 20-80 mg/kg p.o.) caused dose-dependent and significant (P0.05) reductions in the blood glucose levels of the experimental animals used. On the other hand, glibenclamide (10 mg/kg p.o.) induced highly significant (P<0.05-0.001), marked reductions in the blood glucose concentrations of the rats. The findings of this laboratory animal study indicate that the two hydro-ethanol extractives of E. kraussianum (K1 and K2) possess hypoglycaemic and secondary, vasorelaxant effects in the experimental paradigms used.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free