Results suggested that methanol extract of the leaves of P. amarus has great anti-inflammatory and analgesic potential. These biological effects exhibited by the extract of this plant may be attributed to the presence of flavonoids and other phenols contained therein.
The results from this study may have validated the traditional basis for the use of P. amarus as antidiabetic agent with the pharmacological activities attributed to the presence of flavonoids and other phenolics contained in this plant. At the doses used, SDE also appeared safer than glibenclamide even though the latter is more potent.
The plant extract reduced significantly the formation of edema induced by carrageenan and histamine as well as reducing the number of writhes in acetic acid-induced writhing models and dose-dependent decrease of licking time in rats injected with 2.5% formalin. The results have validated the basis for the traditional use of P. amarus as a medicinal plant.
Background:Phyllanthus amarus is used in Nigeria and other parts of the world as a medicinal plant.
Aim and objective:The plant is being evaluated for antidiabetic potential because diabetes mellitus has assumed a worldwide dimension and plant with safe potential are being deployed as they are available all year round and are cheap for use by the rural populace.
Materials and Methods:The antidiabetic effect of the methanol extract (ME) of Phyllanthus amarus was evaluated in rats. Standard phytochemical methods were used to test for the presence of phytoactive compounds in the plant. Acute toxicity was carried out in mice to determine safe doses for this plant extract. The anti-diabetic activities of the ME of the plant were assessed using some standard tests as well as histological changes in liver, kidney and pancreas. Diabetes mellitus was induced in rats using alloxan while glibenclamide at 0.2mg/kg was the reference drug used in this study.
Results:The ME at 200 and 400mg/kg body weight caused a significant reduction of fasting blood glucose, significant change in the oral glucose tolerance test, marked effect in the hypoglycaemic activity test and pronounced reduction on the glucose level of diabetic rats. Histopathologically, there was no visible lesion seen in the liver, kidney and pancreas of extract-treated and glibenclamide-treated groups.
Conclusion:This study may have validated the traditional basis for the use of Phyllanthus amarus as an antidiabetic agent. At the doses used, ME also appeared safer than glibenclamide even though the latter is more potent.
The Antidiabetic Activities of the Aqueous Leaf Extract of Phyllanthus amarus In Some Laboratory Animals
Aims
Phyllanthus amarus has gained popularity in many continents as an herbal remedy hence its aqueous leaf extract is being assessed for its safety potential and antidiabetic properties in some laboratory animals.
Methods
The anti‐diabetic activities of the aqueous extract of the plant were assessed using some standard tests as well as histological changes in liver, kidney and pancreas. Diabetes mellitus was induced in rats using alloxan while glibenclamide at 0.2mg/kg was the reference drug used in this study. Acute toxicity was carried out to determine safe doses for this plant extract.
Results
The extract at 200 and 400mg/kg body weight caused significant reduction of fasting blood glucose, produce significant reduction in the oral glucose tolerance test, marked effect in the hypoglycaemic activity test, and pronounced reduction on the glucose level of diabetic rats. Histopathologically, the architecture of the pancreas appeared intact in the extract‐treated group. The study also showed recovery of the damaged liver cells in the extract‐ treated group.
Conclusion
The plant extract produced antidiabetic activities that are comparable to that of Glibenclamide, and may have validated the basis for the traditional use of Phyllanthus amarus as antidiabetic agent.
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