Antioxidant and alpha amylase inhibitory activities of Fumaria ofcinalis and its antidiabetic potential against alloxan induced diabetes

Abstract

Fumaria ofcinalis belongs to family papaveraceae and is traditionally used to treat hypertension, hepatitis and diabetes. The current study wasconducted to evaluate in vitro and in vivo antidiabetic activity of Fumaria ofcinalis. Aerial parts of the plant were sequentially extracted with n-hexane, chloroform, methanol and water. Phytochemical analysis was carried out on all extracts. Antioxidant activity was determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH)inhibition method. In vitro alpha-amylase inhibitory activity was performed on all extracts by using dinitrosalicylic acid. effect of aqueous and methanolic extractsof F. ofcinalis on blood glucose was evaluated in normo-glycaemic rats and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Glimepiride 0.2 mg/kg was used as standard therapyin diabetic rats. Results showed that methanolic extract exhibited the maximum percentage inhibition of DPPH (86.30%) and alpha-amylase inhibition (94.01%)at 500 µ g/ml and 16 mg/ml concentration respectively. Administration in normo-glycaemic rats did not show any signifcant decrease in blood glucose level at500 and 750 mg/kg dosage. Aqueous and methanolic extracts exhibited a signifcant hypoglycaemic effect (p<0.05) at all doses. A signifcant increase in the bodyweight and an improvement in liver and kidney function tests of diabetic rats were observed. These extracts also reduced the damage to the cells of glomeruli,interstitial inflammation, necrosis of tubular cells and thrombosis in the kidney, the enlargement of sinusoids and steatosis in the liver of diabetic rats. This studyconcludes that F. ofcinalis may have antidiabetic potential possibly due to its antioxidant and alpha-amylase inhibitory activities.