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DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1307630
Preliminary Oral Hypoglycaemic Activity of the Leaf Cali of Munronia pinnata (wall) Theob. in Healthy Wistar Rats
Munronia pinnata (Meliaceae) is a widely used medicinal plant in Ayurvedic/traditional medical systems in Sri Lanka. Previous experimental studies have explored the hypoglycemic activity in healthy rats (1). Due to a low propagating process and over exploitation, this plant has high market value in the drug market. With ever-increasing demand, in vitro propagation techniques were applied to conserve and cultivation process of this plant (2). This study was carried out to detect the oral hypoglycemic activity of leaf cali of M. pinnata on blood sugar levels of healthy rats. The leaf explants were cultured on standard Murashige and Skooge (MS) medium supplemented with the combination of 1.1mg/L 2–4– dicloroxyphenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 0.3mg/L 6– benzylaminopurine (BAP) growth regulators. The aqueous extract (60.0g/kg) and ethanol extract (500.0mg/kg) of leaf cali and the same extracts of natural plants of M. pinnata were administered orally to each animal group (n=6). The control group was treated with 2.5 mL of distilled water. The serum glucose concentration was measured by the glucose-oxidase method. Aqueous and ethanol extracts of leaf cali showed statistically significant hypoglycaemic effects (p<0.05 and p<0.001) compared with the extracts of natural plant of M. pinnata (p<0.0001and p<0.005). Acute toxicity and behavioral studies revealed no visible signs of toxicity and abnormal behavior in rats. The present results therefore appear to support the use of the extracts of leaf cali for the management of hyperglycemic conditions. The mechanism of action of the each extract needs to be studied. Acknowledgements: University of Grant commission, Sri Lanka for Research Grants- 2008, National Science Foundation, Sri Lanka for Equipment Grant –2006. References: [1] Hapuarachchi SD, Suresh TS, Senerath WTPSK, (2011) SLJIM, 1: 1–4. [2] Chandrasena KGPH, Senerath WTPSK (2007)J Natn Sci Foundation Sri Lanka 35(3): 181–189.