PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND IN VIVO ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF MACROPTILIUM ATROPURPUREUM

Ashfaq Ali Khan*, Dr. Shaik Mohammed Khasim, Mohd Rafiq, Mohd. Baleeghuddin Farooqui, Yasmeen Sultana 

ABSTRACT

Diabetes mellitus is one of the commonly occurring endocrine disorders which not only disturb the metabolism of carbohydrates, fat and proteins. It also results in reducing sensitivity of the tissue to insulin. Macroptilium atropurpureum is a plant which is available throughout the year in India and other countries. The present study was targeted to preliminary phytochemical analysis of Macroptilium atropurpureum. Based on phytochemical analysis aqueous extract was selected to evaluate antidiabetic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Diabetes is induced by a single-dose intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of alloxan (150 mg/kg) to albino wistar rats which is a toxic glucose analogue in rodents. Animals were divided into 5 groups each group consisting of 6 animals. Group IV and V was treated with aqueous extract of Macroptilium atropurpureum at a dose of 200mg/kg, 400mg/kg simultaneously whereas Group III was treated with glibenclamide at a dose of 10mg/kg for 10 days after induction of diabetes by alloxan. After 15 days treatment, Group V animals showed significant reduction in blood glucose levels and increase in body weight when compared to Group IV (200mg/kg) which was very well comparable with Group III (standard). Histopathological study of pancreas of diabetic rats treated with Macroptilium atropurpureum showed slight regeneration of beta cells. Thus in future after carrying out detailed pharmacological studies of Macroptilium atropurpureum it can be used as potent antidiabetic drug.

Keywords: Diabetic Mellitus, Macroptilium atropurpureum, Petroleum ether, Chloroform, Alloxan Glibenclamide.