Although several biological activities have been investigated in different lichen species, their antidiabetic potential has not been investigated yet. This study examined the hypoglycemic activity of methanol and methylene chloride extracts of the lichen Parmotrema grayana (Family: Parmeliaceae). This was tested in healthy adult Wistar male fasting rats using two oral doses (600, 1200 mg/kg, N=six/ group) of methanol and methylene chloride extracts of P. grayana in one percent (1%) methyl cellulose (vehicle). The results showed that, the two doses of methanol and methylene chloride extracts of P. grayana possess marked and significant (p<0.05, Mann - Whitney U - test) blood glucose level lowering activity. This blood glucose impairing activity had a rapid onset (two hours) and lasted up to four hours. Moreover, the two extracts did not induce acute toxicity (in terms of overt signs). It is concluded that, the methanol and methylene chloride extracts of P. grayana have profound oral blood glucose lowering activity (with a swift onset and short duration of action) in rats and it may lead to the development of a potent oral hypoglycemic agent from this lichen for the effective treatment of diabetes mellitus.
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