Evaluation of Antihyperglycemic and Antioxidant Activity of Fruits, Stems, and Leaves of Zanthoxylum Budrunga

Abstract

Zanthoxylum budrunga is a tree worthy of investigation due to its many reported phytoconstituents and properties of rich medicinal value. A comprehensive study on the fruits, stems, and leaves of Z. budrunga was carried out to find out and assess the blood glucose lowering capacity as well as antioxidant potential. In vivo Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) and in vitro 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging methods were applied to assess the hypoglycemic and antioxidant potentials of the plant extracts. Methanolic extract of Z. budrunga fruits (MZBF), methanolic extract of Z. budrunga stems (MZBS), and methanolic extract of Z. budrunga leaves (MZBL) showed graded dose-response relationship in OGTT. Most potent blood sugar level reduction was at the highest dose of 400mg/kg body weight with the values of 44.26%, 39.61%, and 36.98% for MZBF, MZBS, and MZBL respectively. Also MZBF, MZBS, and MZBL showed synergistic action with Glibenclamide with the value of 50.34, 43.02, and 45.11% blood glucose reduction, respectively. Comparative order of antioxidant activity was as fruits (IC50 30.6 ppm)>leaves (IC50 68.38 ppm)>stems (IC50 126.83 ppm) where ascorbic acid (IC50 0.17 ppm) was used as standard. The results indicate that Z. budrunga fruits, stems, and leaves have the potential to be used in hyperglycemic condition as folk medicine. Besides these, fruits and leaves may be used as functional food and preventive medicine for oxidative stress disorders like aging-induced disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, liver diseases, cancer etc