In vitro Study of Antioxidant, Antidiabetic and Antimicrobial Activities of Solanum Torvum Root

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder with characteristics of multiple aetiology of chronic hyperglycaemia. These effects include dysfunction and long-term degeneration of various organs. Characteristics of diabetes mellitus include polyuria, blurred vision, thirst, and weight loss. Many types of insulin are available, for example porcine insulin, beef insulin, and human insulin. Weight gain and hypoglycaemia are the most adverse effects of using insulin. Insulin binds to sulfonylurea receptors on β-cell plasma membranes. In this study, ethanolic extract of Solanum torvum root was used to study ATP-sensitive potassium channels, which lead to depolarized cell membranes. The ethanolic extract was also analysed for antioxidant activities by free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging method. The different concentration of extracts exhibited varying result of radical scavenging activity using DPPH as substrate. The root of Solanum torvum exhibited significant α-amylase (79.56%) and α-glucosidase (80.58%) inhibitory activities at the concentration 100 μg/ml respectively when compared with standard acarbose drug. It also showed a good antioxidant activity with 65.47% when compared with standard ascorbic acid. The ethanolic extract of Solanum torvum root has a potential antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida tropicalis. Thus, Solanum torvum is a better source for natural antioxidant, anti-diabetic and anti-microbial activities due to presence of natural compounds in it.