Isolation, purification, structural characterization and functional elucidation of novel antihyperglycemic compound from the bark of Pterocarpus santalinus

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. In accordance with the recommendations of the WHO expert committee (2002) on diabetes mellitus, an investigation of hypoglycemic agents of plant origin used in traditional medicine seems important. Additionally, in recent years, there is an increasing demand by patients to use the natural products with antidiabetic activity. Earlier studies from our laboratory have shown that the ethanolic extract of the bark of P. santalinus (PS) produced a significant antihyperglycemic activity. In the current study we have isolated, purified and characterized the active principle with antidiabetic activity from the bark of PS by bioassay guided fractionation. The mass of the compound was found to be 250 by mass spectroscopy. On the basis of the data obtained from 1H NMR, 13C NMR and IR spectra, the chemical structure of the active principle has been derived, and it is identified as derivative of butanoic acid. Further this novel active principle showed maximum antihyperglycemic activity (71% fall in blood glucose) when administered at a concentration of 100 mg/kg body weight in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Our results conclude that butanoic acid derivative present in PS is a novel and effective antihyperglycemic agent.