Anti-diabetic Activity of Helicteres Isora Root

The different extracts of the roots of Helicteres isora (Family-Sterculiaceae) were tested for anti-diabetic activity, by glucose tolerance test in normal rats and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Aqueous ethanol and butanol extracts had shown significant protection and lowered the blood glucose levels to normal in glucose tolerance test. In alloxan induced diabetic rats the maximum reduction in blood glucose was observed after 3h at a dose level of 250 mg/kg of body weight. The percentage protections by aqueous ethanol and butanol extracts were 30 and 48% respectively. In long term treatment of alloxan induced diabetic rats, the degree of protection was determined by measuring blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol and urea levels on 0,3,5,7 and 10 day. Both the extracts showed a significant antidiabetic activity comparable with that of glibenclamide. The histopathological studies during the long-term treatment have shown to ameliorate the biochemical damages caused by alloxan. These results indicate that the Helicteres isora root possess significant anti – diabetic activity. INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus is a major disease characterized by derangement in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, affecting nearly 10% of the population. In the recent past many hypoglycaemic agents are introduced, still the diabetes and the related complications continue to be a major medical problem not only in developed countries but also in developing countries. Many Indian medicinal plants are reported to be useful in diabetes . However, search for new anti-diabetic drugs continue. Helicteres isora Linn. (Family – Sterculiaceae) is a shrub or small tree available in forests from Bengal to Ceylon. In traditional the root juice is claimed to be useful in diabetes, empyema, and a favorite cure for snakebite . From the roots betulic acid, daucosterol, sitosterol, isorin were isolated. Cucurbitacin B and isocucurbitacin B were isolated and reported to possess cytotoxic activity. The present study was undertaken to verify the claim and evaluate the anti-diabetic property of the roots H. isora. EXPERIMENTAL 1. Plant Material The roots of H. isora were collected from Srisailam forest. Andhra Pradesh, India and authenticated by Dr.S.T.Ramchandrachari, Principal and Taxanomist, Kamareddy Degree College, Kamareddy, India. A voucher specimen (HI/Rt/99) is being maintained in the laboratory of Phytochemistry and Pharmacognosy, G.Pulla Reddy College of Pharmacy, Hyderabad, India. The roots are dried in shade. 2. Preparation of extracts The dried root powder (5-kg) was extracted with 80% aqueous ethyl alcohol by maceration process for 3 days. The concentrated aqueous ethanol extract (113 g) was suspended in water and fractionated with butyl alcohol (4x500 ml) and yielded of butanol extract, (16.57g).