Abstract
Stephania hernandifolia (Menispermaceae) is a medicinal plant, used by herbalists for treating various diseases, one of which is diabetes mellitus, in Darjeeling. However, its antidiabetic activity has not been scientifically investigated so far. The aim of this study, therefore, is to investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of the powdered corm of Stephania hernandifolia. This was tested in normal and Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, using oral administration of ethanol and an aqueous extract (400 mg/kg body weight) of Stephania hernandifolia corm. After the oral administration of water and ethanol extracts at doses of 400 mg/kg body weight, blood glucose levels were monitored at specific intervals and it was found that they were significant lowered. Glibenclamide was used as a standard drug at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg. The experimental data revealed that both extracts has significant antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity in Streptozotocin-induced rats compared to the standard drug. The antioxidant activity in vitro was measured by means of the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and Superoxide-free radical scavenging assay. Ascorbic acid, a natural antioxidant, was used as a control. The extracts of ethanol and aqueous were strongly scavenged DPPH radicals, with IC50 being 265.33 and 217.90 µg/ml, respectively. Although the extracts of ethanol and aqueous were moderately scavenged, the superoxide radical were with IC50 values of 526.87 and 440.89 µg/ml. The study revealed that the ethanolic extract exhibited more significant antidiabetic and antioxidant activity then the aqueous extract.
Highlights
The use of herbal medicines for the treatment of diabetes mellitus has gained importance throughout the world
In rats treated with both the extracts, there was a significant reduction in plasma glucose level, while in normal control rats the plasma glucose level increased
When ethanol and aqueous extracts of Stephania hernandifolia were administered to glucose-loaded normal rats, fasted for 18 hours, a decrease in plasma glucose level was observed after 30 minutes
Summary
The use of herbal medicines for the treatment of diabetes mellitus has gained importance throughout the world. The World Health Organization has recommended and encouraged this practice, especially in countries where access to the conventional treatment of diabetes is not adequate. There is an increased demand for using natural products with antidiabetic activity, on account of the side effects associated with the use of insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents.[1] The available literature. J Young Pharm Vol 2 / No 3 shows that there are more than 400 plant species showing hypoglycemic activity.[2]. The plant is useful in the treatment of fever, diarrhea, diabetes, urinary disease, dyspepsia, depilatory.[3,4]. The plant is useful in the treatment of fever, diarrhea, diabetes, urinary disease, dyspepsia, depilatory.[3,4] The main objectives of this study are to assess the antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of ethanol and aqueous extracts of the powdered corm of Stephania hernandifolia
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