Studies on Indigenous Plants for Antidiabetic Activity

Abstract

Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in the world affecting nearly 25% of the population. Oxidative stress has significant effect in causation of diabetes mellitus. There are many clinical and experimental evidences indicating the involvement of oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and its complications. Abnormally high levels of free radicals which cause membrane damage due to peroxidation of membrane lipids and protein glycation and the simultaneous decline of antioxidant defense mechanisms leads to cells and tissues damage. As a new strategy for alleviating the oxidative damage in diabetes, interest has grown in the usage of natural antioxidants. Many medicinal plants are known for controlling diabetes and a few have been scientifically evaluated. Hence, in the present study, four indigenous plants were selected for pharmacognostical, phytochemical, antidiabetic and antioxidant properties based on their literature and ethnomedical uses.The plants selected for the study were roots of Bauhinia variegata and Pseudarthria viscida, rhizome of Kyllinga nemoralis and underground tubers of Dioscorea alata. newlineAll the plant materials were collected from Dharmapuri district and authenticated. Pharmacognostical studies such as macroscopy, microscopy, ash values and extractive values were carried out to confirm the identity of plants and to ascertain the quality and purity. The dried materials were extracted separately with ethanol (95%) using Soxhlet apparatus. All the extracts were concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure and controlled temperature. In conclusion, a detailed pharmacognostical, phytochemical and evaluation of antioxidant and antidiabetic studies were carried out in Bauhinia variegata, Pseudarthria viscida, Kyllinga nemoralis and Dioscorea alata. Morphological and anatomical characters has been studied to identify the diagnostic features of the selected plants. newline newline