Alleviation of alloxan-induced diabetes and its complications in rats by Actinodaphne hookeri leaf extract

Abstract

Leaves of Actinodaphne hookeri Meissn (Family Lauraceae; local name: Pisa) has been in use traditionally for the treatment of diabetes and disorders of the urinary tract which are more common in Chattisgarh and eastern part of India. In the present study, leaves of A.hookeri, were subjected to phytochemical investigation and evaluated for anti-diabetic activity. The ethanool and the chloroform extract were found to have significant (p<0.01) blood glucose lowering effect. The extracts also signficantly (p<0.01) lowered the increased serum cholesterol and low density lipoproteins levels. Preliminary phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and glycosides as the major constituents in the ethanol extract. The chloroform extract also showed significant (p<0.01) antihyperglycemic activity and contained alkaloids and triterpenes. It is concluded that the antidiabetic activity of A. hookeri may be due to the presnece of alkaloids and triterpenes, and might be promising for the development of phytomedicine for diabetes mullitus along with its associated complications.