Anti-diabetic Activity of Methanolic and Ethyl Acetate Extracts of Wrightia Tinctoria R.br. Fruit

The present work was undertaken to investigate various extracts of fruit of Wrightia tinctoria (F-Apocyanacea) for anti-diabetic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats. A comparison was made between the action of extracts and known anti-diabetic drug glibenclamide (10mg/kg body weight). Oral administration of methanolic extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg/b. wt and ethyl acetate extract at a dose of 200 mg/kg/b. wt exhibited a significant (p<0.001, p<0.001) hypoglycemic activity in normal rats and significant (p<0.001, p<0.001) anti-hyperglycemic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats respectively. The maximum reduction in blood glucose level was observed after 4 hours in case of methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts with a percentage protection of 37% and 42% respectively. In long term treatment of alloxan induced diabetic rats the degree of protection was determined by measuring blood glucose on 0, 1, 2, 4, 7, 14 day. Both the extracts showed a significant anti-diabetic activity comparable with that of glibenclamide. These results indicate that the W. tinctoria fruit extracts possess significant anti – diabetic activity. INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is a potentially morbid condition with high prevalence worldwide, this has affected millions of people all over the world thus the disease constitutes a major health concern . Currently global prevalence of the disease is around 200 million and would increase to 300 million by 2025. In view of the increasing prevalence there is a growing need to develop integrated approaches towards the management and prevention of diabetes mellitus by exploring the potentials offered by the traditional phytotherapies. Despite considerable progress in the management of D. mellitus by conventional drugs, the search for natural antidiabetic plants as alternative is ongoing. Experimental evidences suggest the involvement of free radicals in the pathogenesis of diabetes leading to complications. So, plants capable of neutralizing free radicals are effective in preventing diabetes and reducing the severity of diabetic complications.