Scientific validation of antidiabetic plants of sikkim himalaya

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Journal name: World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Original article title: Scientific validation of antidiabetic plants of sikkim himalaya
The WJPR includes peer-reviewed publications such as scientific research papers, reports, review articles, company news, thesis reports and case studies in areas of Biology, Pharmaceutical industries and Chemical technology while incorporating ancient fields of knowledge such combining Ayurveda with scientific data.
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Original source:

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Author:

Prasanta Kumar Mitra, Tanaya Ghosh and Prasenjit Mitra


World Journal of Pharmaceutical Research:

(An ISO 9001:2015 Certified International Journal)

Full text available for: Scientific validation of antidiabetic plants of sikkim himalaya

Source type: An International Peer Reviewed Journal for Pharmaceutical and Medical and Scientific Research

Doi: 10.20959/wjpr20122-15519


Download the PDF file of the original publication


Summary of article contents:

Introduction

Diabetes mellitus is a rapidly increasing chronic metabolic disease, with significant impacts predicted for the future. Folk healers in the Sikkim Himalaya region use numerous medicinal plants to treat diabetes, although many of these plants lack scientific validation. This study aims to identify and validate the antidiabetic properties of these plants, specifically focusing on their ability to inhibit key carbohydrate-splitting enzymes, alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase.

Antidiabetic Activity of Sikkim Himalayan Plants

In this research, 52 medicinal plants were collected from folk healers in Sikkim. The plants were tested for their ability to inhibit alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase activities. The results showed that 44 out of the 52 plants exhibited significant inhibitory activities against these enzymes, suggesting their potential as effective antidiabetic agents. Among them, plants such as Abroma augusta, Aegle marmelous, Allium sativum, and Aloe barbadensisc showed particularly high levels of inhibition.

Methodology for Enzyme Inhibition Assays

The plant leaves were dried, powdered, and used in inhibition assays to test for alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase activities. These assays involved incubating the plant extracts with specific substrates and measuring the inhibition percentage by comparing the absorbance values with a control. Acarbose, a known inhibitor, was used as a positive control. The statistical significance of the test results was evaluated using SPSS 20, confirming the reliability of the inhibition percentages found.

Validation of Traditional Use

The study underscores the significance of traditional medicinal knowledge. The folk healers' use of these plants for diabetes management is validated by the scientific results demonstrating that these plants possess substantial inhibitory activities against the enzymes responsible for carbohydrate hydrolysis. This offers a scientific basis for the traditional practices and suggests that these plants can be explored further for diabetic treatment.

Conclusion

This research provides scientific validation for the antidiabetic properties of 44 medicinal plants from the Sikkim Himalaya. The findings open new avenues for future research on these plants in experimental diabetes and clinical trials. Additionally, there is potential for isolating specific antidiabetic compounds from these plants, paving the way for novel treatment options.

FAQ section (important questions/answers):

What was the aim of the study?

The study aimed to scientifically validate the antidiabetic properties of 52 medicinal plants used by folk healers in Sikkim Himalaya.

How many plants showed inhibitory activity?

44 out of 52 medicinal plants showed inhibitory activity against alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase in the in vitro assays.

What assays were used to test the plants?

The plant leaves were tested via in vitro assays of alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase using standard methodologies.

What is the significance of alpha amylase and glucosidase inhibition?

Inhibition of these enzymes could reduce hydrolysis of complex carbohydrates, potentially controlling postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetic patients.

What further studies are needed?

Animal experiments followed by clinical trials are needed to confirm the antidiabetic properties of the plants and to isolate potential antidiabetic compounds.

Where were the plant specimens kept?

Voucher specimens were kept in the Department of Biochemistry, North Bengal Medical College, Sushrutanagar, Siliguri, for future reference.

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Scientific validation of antidiabetic plants of sikkim himalaya”. 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) Activity:
Relevance: The term 'Activity' refers to the inhibition of enzymes alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase by medicinal plants, which can have antidiabetic effects.

2) Science (Scientific):
Relevance: The term 'Scientific' denotes the process of validating the medicinal effects of plants through controlled experiments and established methodologies.

3) Drug:
Relevance: The term 'Drug' in this context is used for the powdered plant leaves tested for antidiabetic properties against standard drugs like acarbose.

4) Cinnamomum tamala:
Relevance: Cinnamomum tamala, also referred to as 'Sinkauli,' is one of the plant species tested for alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibitory activities.

5) Himalaya (Himālaya, Hima-alaya):
Relevance: 'Himalaya' refers to the geographic region, specifically the Sikkim Himalaya, where the medicinal plants were sourced from for this study.

6) Tamala (Tamāla):
Relevance: 'Tamala' refers to Cinnamomum tamala, a plant that showed enzyme inhibitory activity, making it relevant to the study as a potential antidiabetic agent.

7) Trigonella foenum-graecum:
Relevance: This scientific name refers to 'Methi,' one of the plants tested in the study for its antidiabetic properties through enzyme inhibition.

8) Zingiber officinale:
Relevance: Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger (Adua), was one of the plants that showed significant enzyme inhibitory activity in the study.

9) Berberis aristata:
Relevance: Known as 'Sano chutro,' this plant species was tested and showed moderate alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibitory activities.

10) Ocimum sanctum:
Relevance: Also known as 'Tulsi,' Ocimum sanctum exhibited significant inhibitory activities against alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase in the study.

11) Dalbergia sissoo:
Relevance: Known as 'Sisau,' this plant showed no alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibitory activities in the study, marking it as less relevant for diabetes treatment.

12) Oroxylum indicum:
Relevance: Known locally as 'Totola,' this plant showed moderate inhibition of alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase activities in the study.

13) Acorus calamus:
Relevance: Known as 'Bhojo,' Acorus calamus was tested and found to have moderate enzyme inhibitory activities, making it relevant for diabetes treatment research.

14) Allium sativum:
Relevance: Also known as 'Lasun' or garlic, Allium sativum showed significant inhibitory activities against both alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase.

15) Costus:
Relevance: Refers to Costus speciosus, one of the plants that demonstrated significant enzyme inhibitory activities, suggesting its potential antidiabetic properties.

16) Water:
Relevance: Used in the preparation and washing of plant leaves before drying and powdering for the inhibitory activity assays.

17) Musha (Musa, Musā, Mūṣā, Muṣā, Musá):
Relevance: Refers to Musa sapientum (banana), one of the plant species tested, which showed significant enzyme inhibitory activity in the study.

18) Saraca asoca:
Relevance: Also known as 'Asok,' this plant was tested for its enzyme inhibitory activities but showed only moderate results, making it less significant.

19) Brahmi (Brāhmī):
Relevance: Refers to Bacopa monnieri, which showed moderate enzyme inhibitory activities, indicating its potential use in diabetes management.

20) Karela (Karēlā, Karelā):
Relevance: Common name for Momordica charantia, which was tested and showed significant inhibitory activities against enzymes relevant for diabetes management.

21) Kumara (Kumāra, Kumārā):
Relevance: Refers to Aloe barbadensis (Ghew kumara), a plant that showed significant enzyme inhibitory activities in the study, suggesting antidiabetic properties.

22) Methi (Mēthī, Methī, Meṭhi):
Relevance: Refers to Trigonella foenum-graecum, which demonstrated moderate enzyme inhibitory activities, indicating its potential for diabetes treatment.

23) Panca (Pancan, Pañca, Pañcan, Pamca, Pañcāṉ):
Relevance: Refers to Panax pseudoginseng (Panch patay), a plant in the study that showed moderate inhibitory activities against both enzymes tested.

24) Cina (Cīna, Cīnā, Ciṉa, Ciṉā, Cīṉā, Cinā):
Relevance: Mentioned in the context of the high prevalence of diabetes in China, emphasizing the global importance of finding effective antidiabetic treatments.

25) Shati (Śaṭi, Satī, Śaṭī, Sati, Śati, Sāti, Saṭi, Saṭī, Ṣāti):
Relevance: Refers to Dalbergia latifolia (Sati saal), which was found to have no significant enzyme inhibitory activity, making it less relevant for antidiabetic research.

26) Shada (Śāda, Sadā, Sada, Śada, Ṣaḍa, Sadas):
Relevance: Refers to Catharanthus roseuse (Sada bahar), which showed limited enzyme inhibitory activities, thus holding less significance for diabetes treatment.

27) Discussion:
Relevance: This section interprets the results of the study, comparing them with existing literature and highlighting the significance of the plant's enzyme inhibitory activities.

28) Medicine:
Relevance: The study aims to validate traditional medicinal plants scientifically, potentially integrating them into modern medicine for diabetes treatment.

29) Cancer:
Relevance: Mentioned in the introduction as part of the National Program for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, alongside diabetes.

30) Botany:
Relevance: The Department of Botany authenticated the plant species collected from Sikkim, ensuring accurate identification for the study.

31) Sugar:
Relevance: Central to the study, sugar metabolism is affected by the inhibition of alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase, thereby managing postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetics.

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Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘Scientific validation of antidiabetic plants of sikkim himalaya’. Further sources in the context of Science might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Medicinal plant, Geographical area, Traditional Chinese medicine, Clinical trial, Scientific validation, Voucher specimen, Postprandial hyperglycemia, Animal experiment, Scientific name, Ethnobotanical studies, High incidence, Therapeutic approaches, Antidiabetic plants, Alpha amylase, Alpha glucosidase, In vitro assay.

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