Pharmacognostical Phytochemical and Pharmacological studies on Indigenous Anti Diabetic Plant

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a disease that is assuming epidemic proportions worldwide particularly Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. The interest for the medicinal plants with anti-diabetic properties has increased with the demand for new active compounds with minor side effects than the Conventional anti-diabetes drugs such as biguanides, sulfonylurea and thiazolidenedione presently available to treat the diabetes mellitus. The use of these drugs is restricted by their pharmacokinetic properties, secondary failure rates and accompanying side effects. Thus, searching for a new class of compounds is essential to overcome diabetic problems which, in turn, will lead to continuous search for alternative drugs. Furthermore, after the recommendation made by the World Health Organisation (WHO) on diabetes mellitus, investigation on hypoglycemic agents from medicinal plants have become more important. In the present work, Clerodendrum inerme of the family Verbenaceae that possess antidiabetic folklore claim was studied with regard to its mechanisms of action. C.inerme is an indigenous shrub with high antioxidant content and numerous indigenous medicinal properties inferred by ingestion of an herbal brew of the plant. This ethnomedicinal plant is largely under-studied and under-utilized. Composition of elements in the plant was estimated using Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) while the types of phytochemicals present was assessed using standard procedures. The safety of long term use of C.inerme is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the safety of the plant extracts in mice and the hypoglycemic activity. The safety of C.inerme was studied in mice that were orally administered with 2000mg/kg as per OECD 423 and observed for the behaviourial changes. The ethanolic extract of C.inerme root (EECIR) showed no mortality with animals of control group as well as animals treated with a maximum dose of 2000 mg/kg. Chronic toxicity study as per OECD 407 was performed for the selected maximum dose level of 400mg/kgbw for 28 days.