Antidiabetic activity and chemical characterization of the Acalypha wilkesiana (Euphorbiaceae) Mull Arg. roots in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-diabetic effects of methanol root extract of Acalypha wilkesiana in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The effect of the extract (100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, i.p) on fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminases (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminases (SGPT0 level, and liver glycogen content were investigated in alloxan induced diabetic rats and found significant effects. A comparison was made between the action of the extract and a known anti-diabetic drug glibenclamide (5 mg/kg b. wt.). An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also performed in diabetic rats. The standardization of the root was done by following pharmacognostical screening methods. Dose selection was made on the basis of acute oral toxicity study. The most significant reduction of FBG level of 48.36% was observed for 200 mg/g in alloxan induced diabetic rats. A significant reduction (p < 0.05) in serum TC and TG level of 50.43% and 58.05% respectively was also observed for the high dose. In diabetic rats, SGOT and SGPT levels were significantly reduced. The methanol extract also showed improvement in parameters like body weight as well as regeneration of β-cells of pancreas in diabetic rats. A histopathological study shows the healing of pancreas by the extract, as a possible mechanism of their antidiabetic activity. These results indicate that the methanol root extract of Acalypha wilkesiana, have favorable effects in bringing down the severity of diabetes together with hepatoprotectivity and justify its use in traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes.