Planta Med 2007; 73 - P_448
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-987228

Antidiabetic activity of a methanol extract of unripe fruits of Diospyros peregrina Gurke. (Ebenaceae) in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

S Dewanjee 1, A Maiti 1, M Kundu 1, SC Mandal 1
  • 1Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy Research Laboratory, Division of Pharmacognosy, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032, India

Diospyros peregrina Gurke. is a moderate sized tree of costal West Bengal, India. The maceration of unripe fruits is successfully employed by traditional people for the treatment of diabetes. The intention of the study is to explore the antidiabetic efficacy of a methanolic extract prepared from unripe matured fruits of Diospyros peregrina (MEDP) and also to establish a correlation to reduction of oxidative state associated with diabetes. MEDP was administered orally at doses of 150 and 300mg/kg b. w. for twelve consecutive days to streptozotocin induced diabetic rats [1]. Fasting blood glucose levels were estimated on day 1, 5, 9 and 12. Serum lipid profiles and pancreatic thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) [2] were measured after the animals were sacrificed on day 12. The results showed a statistically significant (*p<0.01) antidiabetic potential of extract in term of reduction of fasting blood glucose level of diabetic rats and comparable to that of standard drug glibenclamide. Serum lipids, pancreatic TBARS levels were significantly reduced in extract-treated diabetic rats. All results are tabulated hereunder.

Fasting blood glucose level (mg/dl)

Cholesterol (mg/dl)

Triglycerides (mg/dl)

TBARS
(µmol/g)

Group

1st day

5th day

9th day

12th day

Diabetic control

253.8±5.2

262.7±4.5

272.2±2.9

274.7±2.8

105.8±3.0

99.0±5.6

4.8±0.2

Diabetic + MEDP 150

258.8±4.3

194.7±5.8*

156.7±2.9*

128.3±3.2*

66.2±2.0

74.8±3.1*

3.1±0.2*

Diabetic + MEDP 300

267.2±5.7

179.3±6.0*

146.3±4.8*

118.5±4.2*

61.5±2.5*

64.8±1.7*

2.1±0.2*

Diabetic+ glibenclamide

275.8±5.2

171.3±4.4*

130.7±3.9*

108.7±3.2*

57.5±2.4*

53.2±2.8*

2.2±0.2*

Acknowledgements: The authors are thankful to the World Bank through TEQIP program of Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India for financial assistance.

References: [1] Siddque, M. et al. (1987) J pharm Sci 76: 341–345. [2] Hiroshi, O. et al. (1979) Anal Biochem 5: 351–358.