Abstract
Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the glucose-lowering efficacy of the Acacia suma Roxb. (Family: Fabaceae) root extracts on Wister albino rats.
 Methods: A. suma roots were shade dried, powdered, and extracted by Soxhlet extraction procedure using petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol, and water. The acute toxicity studies were conducted on Swiss albino mice as per the OECD guidelines 423. The antidiabetic activity of extracts was evaluated on adult Wistar rats at dose levels of 100,200, and 400 mg/kg P.O, respectively each using normoglycemic,glucose-loaded and Streptozotocin-induced rats. Metformin (50 mg/kg) was used as a reference standard for activity comparison.
 Results: Among the tested extracts, the ethanol extract was found to produce promising results that are comparable to that of the reference standard metformin.
 Conclusion: The study established the scientific basis for the utility of this plant in the treatment of diabetes and justifies the use of the root of the plant for treating diabetes as suggested in folklore remedies.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disorder in women and men, and the major health problem of the public becomes epidemic proportion [1], once upon a time believed to be diseased of the west, now is becoming endemic to urbanizing and modernizing population in our country [2]
It was observed that ethanol extract reduced 12.69% blood glucose levels at 400 mg/kg, p.o., whereas metformin (150 mg/kg, p.o) showed 25.46% in rats after 8 h treatment
The peak of blood glucose level was increased rapidly from the fasting blood glucose value and after that subsequently decreased after 30 min of glucose administration through the oral route
Summary
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common endocrine disorder in women and men, and the major health problem of the public becomes epidemic proportion [1], once upon a time believed to be diseased of the west, now is becoming endemic to urbanizing and modernizing population in our country [2]. Ayurvedic literature reveals that different oral preparations used to cure DM (madhumeha) were obtained from herbal medicines. Their claims of cure were recorded [3]. The bark is reported to be used as a blood purifier [6] and possesses anticancer, molluscicidal, insecticide, and astringent properties [14,15,16]. The hypoglycemic activities of different extracts of bark are reported by the authors [17]. Root suspension of A. suma used by the tribes of the Ganjam district of Odisha to reduce the blood sugar in the patients with DM, and they claim for its promising activity. In the light of the above importance of this medicinal plant, the present investigation was to establish scientific support for the said folklore claim
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