Aerial parts of euphorbia hirta L. In polar and non-polar solvents: Phytochemical, antioxidant and glucose uptake studies for potential source of adjunct drug for diabetes

Abstract

Euphorbia hirta L. (Euphorbiaceae) is an herbal plant found in countries with tropical and subtropical climates. It contains biologically active components that have pharmacological properties related to progression of oxidative stress and hyperglycemia. In this study, the dried aerial parts of the plant were refluxed using different polar and non-polar solvents such as water, methanol, ethanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, and hexane. The effect of solvents used during extraction on the number of phytochemicals, antioxidant properties using DPPH and FRAP assays as well as on the glucose uptake were investigated. Results showed that all extracts using various solvents have varied phytochemical contents while polar solvents exhibited higher antioxidant properties both in DPPH and FRAP assays. Likewise, glucose uptake results showed that extracts from water have higher glucose uptake compared to the commercial drug metformin. Thus, components from the water extract of E. hirta L. could be a potential adjunct drug for diabetes.