Evaluation of hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effect of aqueous-methanolic leaves extract of two medicinal plants of Meghalaya in mice

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effect of aqueous-methanolic extract of Olax acuminata and Bauhinia accuminata leaves in normoglycemic and alloxan induced diabetic mice. For hypoglycemic study, normoglycemic mice were administered with varying doses of extracts and the optimal dose was selected for glucose tolerance test (GTT). For antihyperglycemic study, the optimal dose of extract was administered to diabetic mice and GTT was also performed. In addition, elements in the leaves of plants were also analyzed to relate the presence of elements to their anti-diabetic property. At the dose of 250 mg/kg b.w., O. acuminata leaves extract showed significant reduction in the blood glucose level in normoglycemic and diabetic mice while B. acuminata leaves extract showed significant reduction at 500 mg/kg b.w. Glucose tolerance was also improved in both normal and diabetic mice on administration of the extracts. The results were compared with those of insulin and metformin which were used as standard drugs. Elements found in the leaves of O. acuminata were Cu, Cr, Mn, Zn, Fe, V, Mg, K, C, Sr and P whereas B. acuminata leaves contain all the above elements except for V and Pb. These mention elements are widely known for regulating blood glucose level. The aqueous-methanolic leaves extract of both the plants demonstrates hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effect, thus, could be promising plants in the treatment of diabetes.