Antihyperglycaemic effects of plant extracts in diabetic rats.
Journal name: Ancient Science of Life
Original article title: Study of antihyperglycaemic activity of medicinal plant extracts in alloxan induced diabetic rats
The ANSCI is a peer-reviewed, open-access journal focused on Ayurveda and traditional medicines. It publishes original research, reviews, and literary studies linking traditional knowledge with modern science, covering disciplines like botany, ethnomedicine, pharmacology, and clinical research.
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Original source:
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Anoja P. Attanayake, Kamani A. P. W. Jayatilaka, Chitra Pathirana, Lakmini K. B. Mudduwa
Ancient Science of Life:
(A quarterly multi-disciplinary scientific research journal in Ayurveda)
Full text available for: Study of antihyperglycaemic activity of medicinal plant extracts in alloxan induced diabetic rats
Year: 2013
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA
Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Diabetes mellitus has become a prevalent non-infective epidemic globally, affecting approximately 5% of the general population. Despite advances in understanding and managing diabetes, its incidence and related complications continue to rise mainly due to various pathophysiological defects. Traditional treatments, especially those involving plant-derived medicines, have been used for centuries in Sri Lanka and other countries. This study aims to investigate the antihyperglycaemic activity of eight Sri Lankan medicinal plant extracts commonly used in traditional medicine, assessing their effectiveness and dose responses in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
Comparison of Antihyperglycaemic Effects
The study focused on extracting and testing the efficacy of different plant materials based on their documented usage in traditional medicine. The plants chosen were Spondias pinnata, Kokoona zeylanica, Syzygium caryophyllatum, Gmelina arborea, Scoparia dulcis, Sida alnifolia, Coccinia grandis, and Languas galanga. Various doses (0.25-2.00 g/kg) of these extracts were administered orally to diabetic rats, with the impact on glucose tolerance measured via an oral glucose tolerance test. Results indicated that all eight plant extracts significantly improved glucose tolerance compared to untreated diabetic rats, with optimal doses identified for each extract. Six of the extracts showed the most effective dose at 1.00 g/kg, while C. grandis and L. galanga required 0.75 g/kg and 1.25 g/kg, respectively.
Conclusion
The findings demonstrate that the aqueous extracts of the selected medicinal plants possess potent antihyperglycaemic activity, highlighting their potential as alternative treatments for diabetes mellitus. The acute toxicity assessment suggested that these extracts are safe for use up to a dose of 2.00 g/kg in rats. Notably, the leaf extract of C. grandis showed effectiveness comparable to glibenclamide (0.50 mg/kg), suggesting a promising avenue for further research into herbal therapies for diabetes management. Overall, the study contributes valuable insights into the therapeutic properties of these plants, advocating for their consideration in the treatment of diabetes in Sri Lanka and beyond.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What was the aim of the study on medicinal plants?
The study aimed to evaluate the oral antihyperglycaemic activity of eight Sri Lankan medicinal plant extracts in diabetic rats to determine their efficacy and dose response.
How were the diabetes-induced rats treated in the study?
Diabetes was induced using alloxan, and various dosages of plant extracts were administered orally to diabetic rats, followed by an oral glucose tolerance test to assess their effects.
What were the main findings about the plant extracts?
The results indicated that most extracts significantly improved glucose tolerance, with optimal doses varying between 0.75 g/kg to 1.25 g/kg, comparable to the standard drug glibenclamide.
What safety results were observed from the plant extracts?
The acute toxicity study indicated that the eight plant extracts were safe for rats at doses up to 2.00 g/kg, with no significant adverse effects noted during observation.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Antihyperglycaemic effects of plant extracts in diabetic rats.”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Medicine:
Medicine refers to the field concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. In the context of this study, it emphasizes the significance of medicinal plant extracts as viable treatments for diabetes mellitus, illustrating an intersection between traditional practices and scientific research to discover effective therapeutic options with fewer side effects.
2) Blood:
Blood plays a crucial role in the study of diabetes, particularly in measuring blood glucose levels. The research focuses on evaluating the antihyperglycaemic activities of plant extracts through blood glucose concentration assessments, making it a critical component in determining the efficacy of the investigated treatments and their effects on diabetic conditions.
3) Toxicity:
Toxicity refers to the degree to which a substance can harm or damage organisms. The study examines the acute toxicity of various plant extracts, confirming their safety for oral administration in diabetic rats. Understanding toxicity is essential for developing effective and safe herbal treatments without adverse effects on health.
4) Activity:
Activity pertains to the effectiveness of the plant extracts in lowering blood glucose levels. The study investigates the antihyperglycaemic activity, characterizing the response of various extracts in improving glucose tolerance in diabetic rats, thereby providing empirical evidence for the medicinal use of these plants in managing diabetes.
5) Water:
Water is a critical solvent for preparing aqueous extracts of the medicinal plants used in the study. The use of distilled water in the extraction process is vital for maintaining the integrity of the bioactive compounds, facilitating their pharmacological actions, and allowing researchers to evaluate their effectiveness in influencing blood glucose levels.
6) Drug:
In this context, drug refers to the standard antihyperglycaemic agent glibenclamide, which is used as a control in the experiments. The comparison of plant extracts with a known drug showcases the potential of herbal remedies as alternative treatments for diabetes, emphasizing the ongoing exploration of effective and safer options.
7) Gmelina arborea:
Gmelina arborea is one of the medicinal plants investigated for its antihyperglycaemic properties in this study. Known for its traditional use in Ayurvedic medicine, its extraction and testing provide scientific backing for its therapeutic value, reinforcing the connection between cultural practices and contemporary scientific validation.
8) Science (Scientific):
Science refers to the systematic pursuit of knowledge through observation, experimentation, and analysis. This study exemplifies the scientific method by examining the effects of medicinal plant extracts on diabetic rats, highlighting the importance of scientific inquiry in understanding and validating traditional remedies in modern medicine.
9) Cita:
Sida, particularly Sida alnifolia, is one of the specific plants evaluated in this study for its potential antihyperglycaemic activity. Its inclusion underscores the exploration of diverse plant species in traditional medicine for managing diabetes, thereby evaluating their potential efficacy in contemporary therapeutic applications.
10) Purification:
Purification pertains to the process of isolating specific components from a mixture, essential for extracting bioactive compounds from the plant materials. In the study, purification methods ensure that the effects observed are due to the active components of the plant extracts, enabling a clearer assessment of their efficacy.
11) Agriculture:
Agriculture is relevant as it encompasses the cultivation of medicinal plants used in this study. The sustainable sourcing and cultivation of these plants are crucial for providing consistent, reliable resources for research and future medicinal applications, making agriculture an integral aspect of the medicinal plants' overall value.
12) Discussion:
Discussion refers to the section in the study where findings are interpreted and contextualized within existing literature. It enables researchers to engage with the implications of their results, connect their findings to broader scientific knowledge, and suggest future directions for research on antihyperglycaemic agents.
13) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda serves as the traditional medicinal system from which many of the plant extracts originate. It emphasizes the holistic approach to health, integrating diet and lifestyle considerations, thereby enriching the scientific study of these plants by acknowledging their cultural significance and traditional use in diabetes management.
14) Epidemic:
Epidemic relates to diabetes mellitus, which is described as a significant global health challenge. Understanding diabetes as an epidemic underscores the urgency for effective treatments and highlights the importance of exploring alternative methods, such as plant-derived remedies, to address this growing health crisis scientifically.
15) Channel:
Channel, in this context, refers to the ATP-dependent potassium channels targeted by drugs like glibenclamide. Understanding the mechanisms through which certain compounds exert their antihyperglycaemic effects is crucial for developing new treatments, providing insights into how herbal remedies may interact with biological pathways.
16) Diet:
Diet is significant in managing diabetes, as it plays a pivotal role in blood sugar control. This study indirectly touches on dietary considerations by examining plant extracts as potential dietary supplements that could enhance glucose tolerance, emphasizing the importance of nutrition alongside pharmacological interventions in diabetes management.
Other Science Concepts:
Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Antihyperglycaemic effects of plant extracts in diabetic rats.’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:
Coccinia grandis, Gmelina arborea, Scoparia dulcis, Spondias pinnata, Traditional medicine, Diabetes mellitus, Acute toxicity study, Therapeutic dose, Oral glucose tolerance test, Glibenclamide, Ayurveda physician, Blood glucose concentration, Hyperglycaemia, Antihyperglycaemic activity, Medicinal plant extract, Wistar albino rat.