Antidiabetic activity of ethanolic extract of tubers of Dioscorea alata in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Objective:To evaluate the antidiabetic activity of ethanolic extract of Dioscorea alata in glucose loaded and alloxan induced diabetic rats.Materials and Methods:The authenticated tubers of D. alata (DA) (JSSCPDP/2008/157) were collected from Dharmapuri, Tamil Nadu. The ethanol extract was tested for hypoglycemic activity in normal rats. In oral glucose tolerance test, glucose (3 g/kg, p.o.) was administered to non diabetic control, metformin (250 mg/kg, p.o.) and DA extract (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) to treat treated rats. Diabetes mellitus was induced by alloxan monohydrate (120 mg/kg, i.p.) in physiological saline after overnight fasting for 18 hours. DA extract (100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) and standard drug metformin (250 mg/kg, p.o.) were administered to diabetic rats for 21 days. Fasting blood glucose level and changes in body weight were measured on days 0, 7, 14, and 21. At the end of 21st day, serum lipid profile, total protein, albumin, and creatinine were assessed.Results:In glucose loaded normal rats, the treatment with the extract of DA had shown a highly significant reduction (P < 0.001) in blood glucose levels at the doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. The extract did not produce hypoglycemic activity at both the dose levels in normal, fasted rats. In alloxan induced diabetic rats, the body weight of the DA extract treated animals had shown a significant increase (P < 0.001) after 21 days treatment. The blood glucose level was reduced significantly by 47.48% and 52.09% after 21 days treatment at dose levels 100 and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Serum lipid levels, total protein, albumin, and creatinine were reversed toward near normal in treated rats as compared to diabetic control.Conclusion:The results indicate that ethanol extract of DA tubers possesses significant antidiabetic activity.

Roots and Tuber Crops as Functional Foods: A Review on Phytochemical Constituents and Their Potential Health Benefits

“…Ethanolic extract of tubers of Dioscorea alata showed an antidiabetic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats [ 78 ]. Diabetic rats with administered yam extract exhibited significantly lower creatinine levels which could be a result of improved renal function by reduced plasma glucose level and subsequent glycosylation of renal basement membranes.…”

“…Several bioactive compounds, including phenolics, were identified in the ethanolic extract of D. alata . These include hydro-Q9 chromene, γ -tocopherol, α -tocopherol, feruloyl glycerol, dioscorin, cyanidin-3-glucoside, catechin, procyanidin, cyanidin, peonidin 3-gentiobioside, and alatanins A, B, and C [ 78 ].…”

A new approach for treatment of type 1 diabetes: Phytotherapy and phytopharmacology of regulatory T cells

“…Yam or Dioscorea alata is a commonly used herb in Chinese medicine for the treatment of clinical diabetes mellitus (27). Following the inhibition of Smad2/3, pSmad2/3, and Smad4, Yam extract dose-dependently (50-200 μG/mL) suppressed beta-HB-induced expression of fibronectin in NRK-49F cells.…”

“…Compound (Cpd) K, as a ginseng metabolite, is a synthesized analog of highly unsaturated fatty acids of Isatis tinctoria L. (27,36). The therapeutic effect of Cpd K in diabetic mice shows that Cpd K significantly prolongs islet allograft survival with minimal adverse effects after 10 days.…”

Dioscorea Extract (DA-9801) Modulates Markers of Peripheral Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetic db/db Mice

“…Many species of Dioscorea have traditionally been used clinically in Asia for the treatment of various syndromes related to metabolic diseases. Moreover, the extracts of the Dioscorea species have been reported to have antidiabetic and antiobesity effects ( Hikino et al ., 1986 ; Gao et al ., 2007 ; Maithili et al ., 2011 ). In particular, D. japonica has inhibitory activities on polyuria and diabetes ( Kim, 1998 ) and D. nipponica has antiobesity properties ( Jung et al ., 2003 ).…”