Ndile, Michael MusilaMakori, Wycliffe ArikaKibiti, Cromwell MwitiNgugi, Mathew Piero2024-01-172024-01-172023-12Ndile, M. M., Makori, W. A., Kibiti, C. M., & Ngugi, M. P. (2023). In Vitro Hypoglycemic and Antioxidant Activities of Dichloromethane Extract of Xerophyta spekei. Scientifica, 2023.https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6652112https://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/27290ArticleDiabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder which has greatly led to an increase in morbidity and mortality globally. Although Xerophyta spekei is widely used for the management of diabetes among the Embu and Mbeere communities in Kenya, it has never been empirically evaluated for its hypoglycemic activity. Tis study was carried out to verify the hypoglycemic activity of dichloromethane (DCM) extract of Xerophyta spekei as well as its antioxidant activity using various in vitro techniques. Phytochemicals associated with its antioxidant activity were identifed through GC-MS. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and expressed as mean ± standard error of the mean (X̄± SEM). Comparison between various variables was performed by using unpaired Student’s t-test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test. Te confdence interval was set at 95%. Te obtained results were presented in tables and graphs. Results showed that there was no diference in α-amylase inhibition activity between the plant extract and the standard (IC50 525.9 ± 12.34 and 475.1 ± 9.115, respectively; p > 0.05). Besides, the glucose adsorption activity of the extract increased with an increase in glucose concentration (from 5.89 to 32.64 mg/dl at 5 mmol and 30 mmol of glucose, respectively; p < 0.05). Te extract also limited the difusion of glucose more than the negative control (7.49 and 17.63 mg/dl, respectively; p < 0.05). It also enhanced glucose uptake by yeast cells. In addition, the studied plant extract showed notable antioxidant activities. Te therapeutic efects exhibited by this plant in managing diabetes mellitus and other ailments could be due to its antioxidant as well as its hypoglycemic activity. Te study recommends the evaluation of X. spekei for in vivo hypoglycemic and antioxidant activities. Besides, the isolation of bioactive phytochemicals from the plant may lead to the development of new hypoglycaemic agents.enArticle