IN-VITRO AND IN-VIVO ANIMAL MODEL FOR SCREENING ANTI-DIABETIC ACTIVITY OF HELLENIA SPECIOSA (J. KOENIG) S. R. DUTTA

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common endocrine disorder which causes microvascular and macrovascular complications. Herbal medicines derived from plant extracts are used to treat various diseases because of its fewer side effects. The present investigation includes a screening of phytochemicals and evaluation of the in-vitro and in-vivo anti-diabetic activity of Hellenia speciosa leaves extract. The leaf extract was screened for various phytochemicals and then subjected to in-vitro anti-diabetic study using alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase enzyme. Inhibition of carbohydrate digestive enzymes amylase and glucosidase can effectively decrease the postprandial increase of glucose level. This is an important strategy in the management of diabetes. This was followed by the in-vivo study to evaluate the anti-diabetic effect of Hellenia speciosa leaves in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. The oral administration of crude leaf extract in diabetic rats for 28 days at a dosage of 300 mg/kg body weight exhibited a significant reduction (P<0.05) in fasting blood glucose level and remarkable increases in serum insulin level. The action of Hellenia speciosa was also compared with anti-diabetic drug metformin (350 mg/kg). An oral glucose tolerance test was also performed in the rat model. The study shows that the leaf is nontoxic and regenerates the toxic effect induced by alloxan. Based on the above results, it is evident that the leaves of Hellenia speciosa have an anti-diabetic effect and can be considered as an effective formulation for future studies.