Evaluation of Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Activity of Buteamonosperma Fruit in Diabetic Human Subjects

Abstract

Evaluation of the hypoglycemic activity of local Butea monosperma (Palas papra) fruit in normal and diabetic human volunteers was conducted. Sampling was accomplished in and around the city of Faisalabad, especially at the Khadija Mahmood Trust Hospital and at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Volunteers were categorized into normal and diabetic subjects on the basis of their blood glucose levels. Male and female diabetic volunteers aged between 30 and 60 years participated in the study. All the diabetic volunteers suffered from diabetes type II, i.e. non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The subjects were divided into 5 groups as follows: Group A - Untreated normal subjects; Group B - Normal subjects who received powdered B. monosperma (3 g) in 30 mL of water for 30 days, orally; Group C - Control diabetic subjects; Group D - Diabetic subjects who received powdered (3 g) in 30 mL of water for 30 days, orally; and Group E - Diabetic subjects who received a 5-mg tablet b. I. d. of Daonil® (a standard oral antidiabetic drug) in 30 mL of water for 30 days. The oral administration of B. monosperma fruit to diabetic and normal subjects for 30 days decreased (P < 0.05) blood glucose, urine sugar, and plasma glycoprotein levels, as well as the lipid profile and the activity of liver enzymes. In conclusion, the powder of the medicinal plant B. monosperma fruit can be considered an effective and alternative treatment for diabetes.