Synergistic Effect of Leaf Extracts of Ficus hispida and Psidium guajava for Anti-Diabetic Activity on Wistar Rats

Abstract

Ficus hispida (tropical fig tree) is a moderate sized tree which is commonly known as devil fig, traditionally used in the ailment of pain, inflammation, and neurological disorders. Psidium guajava (Guava/peru)is a wellknown tropical tree and also used as a folk herbal tea used to treat diabetes and leaves were used as astringent, anodyne, febrifuge, antispasmodic, tonic, in wounds, cholera, lactagouge, diarrhoea, vomiting and variety of diseases like diarrhoea, dysentery, hypertension, gastroenteritis, diabetes, cough, oral ulcers etc., The aim of the present study is set out to evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of ethanolic leaf extracts of ficus hispida and psidium guajava on streptozocin induced diabetized rats. The leaf extracts at a dose of 100mg/kg were screened for their blood glucose lowering effectamong streptozocin induced diabetized rats and the blood samples were collected through the tail vein from which blood glucose levels were determinedat 0h, 1h, 2h and 4hafter administration of test samples. Both the leaf extracts of Ficus hispida and Psidium guajava produced significant (p 0.01) decrease in the blood glucose levels. The ethanolic extract of leaves of Ficus hispida and Psidium guava produced synergistic effect when compared with standard by showing an effective response on diabetic rats. These plants supported the folk fore claim of anti-diabetic activity. Further investigations are needed for the proper identification and isolation of these bioactive compounds to produce safer drugs for treatment of harmful diseases.