Abstract
BackgroundDiabetes is a metabolic disorder affecting carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. Tridax procumbens Linn. (Family-Asteraceae; common name-Dhaman grass) is common herb found in India. Traditionally, the tribal inhabitants of Udaipur district in Rajasthan (India) uses the leaf powder (along with other herb) orally to treat diabetes. There is a need to evaluate extracts of this plant in order to provide scientific proof for it's application in traditional medicine system.MethodsExtraction of whole plant of T. procumbens using 50%methanol. The extract was tested for acute and sub-chronic anti-hyperglycemic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats and for acute toxicity test among normal rats. Observations on body weight as well as on the oral glucose tolerance levels were also recorded.ResultsOral administration of acute and sub chronic doses (250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt.) of T. procumbens extract showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic rats, however the decline in blood sugar levels in normal rats was not observed. In acute study the maximum percent blood glucose reduction (68.26% at 250 mg/kg and 71.03% at 500 mg/kg body weight) in diabetic rats was observed at 6 h. The anti-hyperglycemic effects were not dependent of dose and the OGTT and Body weight supported the antihyperglycemic action of the drug. The results of anti-diabetic effect of T. procumbens were compared with the reference standard drug Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg b.wt.).ConclusionThese test results support traditional medicinal use of, T. procumbens for the treatment of diabetes mellitus with corrections in body weight and oral glucose tolerance and no visible signs or symptoms of toxicity in normal rats indicating a high margin of safety. These results warrant follow-up through bioassay-directed isolation of the active principles.
Highlights
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder affecting carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism
The effect of both the doses of 50% methanolic extract of T. procumbens on fasting blood glucose levels in normal rats were assessed at different time intervals. 250 mg/kg b.wt. and 500 mg/kg b.wt. doses of T. procumbens did not cause any significant change in blood sugar levels
Values represent mean ± SEM (n = 6). *Values for a given group in a row followed by same letter as superscript are not significantly different according to Tukey's multiple comparison procedure. α) At alloxan dosing; β) at initial dosing after fasting (15 d after alloxan dosing); γ) at sacrifice after fasting Values given in parenthesis are percent (%) body weight change compared to previous observation of their respective group
Summary
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder affecting carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism. It is affecting nearly 10% of the population world wide[1]. The search for new pharmacologically active agents obtained by screening natural sources such as medicinal plants or their extracts has led to the discovery of many clinically useful drugs that play a major role in the treatment of human diseases. WHO (1980) has recommended the evaluation of the plants effective and in conditions where we lack safe modern drugs[9]. This leads to increasing demand for herbal products with anti-diabetic activity and less side effects
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