PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS AND ANTIDIABETIC PROPERTIES OF SYZYGIUM CUMINI LINN. SEED

The present study was undertaken to investigate some organic phytochemicals, fatty acids, toxic metals and evaluate lipidemic and antidiabetic activity of a herbal medicine and its one constituent Syzygium cumini seed. Antidiabetic and lipidemic activity of this medicine and seed extract was studied on streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic model rats. From chemical investigation carbohydrates and steroids were present in both samples. Alkaloid was present in herbal medicine sample only. Arsenic was found to be 0.05 ppm which was less than the tolerance level. Other toxic metals Lead, Copper, Cadmium and Manganese were absent in herbal medicine (HM-01). Myristic, palmotelic, palmitic, linoleic, oleic, stearic and arachidic acids were found in both samples. The rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 6 in each group): a) Water control b) Glibenclamide c) PESE d) HM-01. The parameters measured were: serum glucose and serum lipid profile. Oral consumption of HM-01 and PESE for 22 days caused significant (plasma glucose in mmol/L, Mean ± SD; 8.57± 1.09 vs 5.67 ± 0.45; and 8.91 ± 0.9 vs 5.56 ± 0.7 respectively, on the 1^st day vs 22^nd day; **p < 0.005) reduction of fasting serum glucose level. HM-01 and PESE treated groups decreased total cholesterol level by 25% and 23%; triglyceride by 24% and 28%; LDL cholesterol by 34% and 35%; and increased HDL cholesterol by 14% and 22% respectively. The herbal medicine and its constituent Syzygium cumini seed powder possess antidiabetic properties in type 2 diabetic model rats.