PHARMACOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF LEAVES OF POLYPODIUM DECUMANUM FOR ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY

Abstract

This research was performed to characterize the hypoglycemic effect of ethanolic extract of Polypodium decumanum leaves in alloxanized diabetic rats. The ethanolic extract of Polypodium decumanum leaves was administered orally at different doses (250 and 500 mg kg‐1) to normal rats. The dose of 500 mg kg‐1 was found to be more effective dose in oral route and it decreases Blood Glucose Level (BGL) by 22.2 % in normal healthy rats after 14 days of administration. After daily treatment with the both dose (250 and 500 mg kg‐1) of ethanolic Polypodium decumanum extract for 21 days to severely Diabetic (FBG 300‐350 mg dL‐1) rats, the BGL reduced to 128.2 mg dL‐1 by 250 mg kg‐1 and 111 mg dL‐1  by 500 mg kg‐1. The findings of our study indicate the hypoglycemic and potential antihyperglycemic nature of the extract. It is not similar effective when compared with the standard drug Glibenclamide, but quite effective in reducing BGL.  It reduces blood glucose level up to 194.1, 119.4, 111 mg dL‐1 at successive days of 7, 14, 21, at the dose of 500 mg kg‐1 in rats compare with the standard drug which reduces blood glucose level up to 256.6, 140.7, 101.2 mg dL‐1. We found that the ethanolic extract of plant Polypodium decumanum leaves is only 10 % less effective in reducing the BGL compare to standard drug (Glibenclamide). Keywords: Polypodium decumanum, hypoglycemic effect, GlibenclamideÂ