SCREENING OF SELECTED PLANTS FOR ANTIDIABETIC POTENTIAL

Abstract

In the present study, traditionally used antidiabetic plants (Cassia absus, Moringa oleifera, Dalbergia sissoo, Mangifera indica, Azadirachta indica, Syzygium cumini, Heliotropium strigosum, Momordica charantia and Fagonia indica) were collected from different areas of Punjab, Pakistan. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts of plants obtained through stirring (extraction technique) were evaluated for antioxidant activity (2, 2- diphenylpicrylhydrazyl), antidiabetic activities (in vitro alpha amylase inhibition assay) and phytochemical studies (total phenolic and flavonoid contents). Further, antidiabetic activities (antihyperglycemic & antihyperlipidemic) of three plants (Moringa oleifera, Fagonia indica and Heliotropium strigosum) were also evaluated through in vivo experiments. Although all plant extracts exhibited good antioxidant and antidiabetic (alpha amylase inhibition) activities. However, aqueous extracts were found to have better alpha amylase inhibition activities and higher phenolic acids than ethanolic extracts. Aqueous extract of Heliotropium strigosum exhibited maximum inhibition (58.6±0.03%) at 1ppm. Overall, both aqueous and ethanolic extracts of selected plants showed good antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic activities in alloxan induced diabetic rabbits but Fagonia indica aqueous extract caused maximum reduction (75.36%) in blood glucose level of alloxan induced diabetic rabbits after 21 days of treatment. High performance liquid chromatography analysis evidenced the presence of phenolic acids in all plants extracts. The variation in yield, phytochemicals constituents and biological activities of most of the plant extracts, with respect to solvent and plant species were statistically significant.