Anti-diabetic activity of Pseuderanthemum palatiferum Radlk. leaf aqueous extract

Fresh leaves of Pseuderanthemum palatiferum Radlk. were claimed to cure various disease including diabetes mellitus in Thai people. However, hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic activities of P. palatiferum have not been reported. This study examined the hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic effects of P. palatiferum leaf aqueous extracts by an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats [1]. A single oral administration of the aqueous extract at doses of 0.25 and 0.50g/kg significantly decreased the blood glucose level in STZ-induced diabetic rats but not in normal rats. A reference drug, glibenclamide, at a dose of 5mg/kg showed a significant blood glucose lowering effect both, in normal rats and STZ-induced diabetic rats. Phytochemical screenings to examine compounds responsible for the biological activity were carried out by color and precipitation tests [2]. It was found that the extract contained flavonoids, phenolic compounds, non-volatile lactones and saponins.

References: 1. Peungvicha, P. et al. (1998)J. Ethnopharmacol. 60:27–32.

2. Farnsworth, NR. (1996)J. Pharm. Sci. 55(3):225–69.