Phytochemical Investigation And Anti Diabetic Activity Of Traditionally Used Medicinal Plants

Abstract

newline Background: newlineDiabetes mellitus (DM) currently is a major health problem for the people of the world and is a chronic metabolic disorder resulting from a variable interaction of hereditary and environmental factors and is characterized by abnormal insulin secretion or insulin receptor or post receptor events[1] causing glycosuria, hyperglycemia and a disturbance in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism and water and electrolyte balance in addition to damaging effect on liver, kidney and and#946; cells of pancreas. The number of people suffering from the disease worldwide is increasing at an alarming rate with a projected 366 million peoples likely to be diabetic by the year 2030 as against 191 million estimated in 2000. From literature review it has been revealed that 15 - 20% of diabetic patients are suffering from insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or type-I. Herbal medicines provide rational means for the treatment of many diseases that are obstinate and incurable in other systems of medicinebut it is necessary to establish the scientific basis for the therapeutic actions of herbal plant medicines. newlineAim and Objectives: The aim of the research work was to screen the anti-diabetic potential of ethanol extract of Antigonon leptopus, Borassus flabellifer, Diospyros malabarica and Gomphrena globosa. Objectives of the study include evaluation of antioxidant activity, histopathology study, effect on serum profiles and change in body weight analysis. newlineMethodology: Ethanolic extracts of all the plant materials were obtained by soxhlet extraction process. Free radical scavenging effect and % inhibition was determined using DPPH method. Acute toxicity study was performed. Antidiabetic activity was screened performing various parameters like oral glucose tolerance test, acute (single dose) and sub acute (multi dose) study, lipid profile, change in body weight. Also histopathology of pancreas was performed. newlineResults: newlinePerformed antioxidant activity showed that ethanolic extracts of Antigonon leptopus (IC50 43