Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of aqueous extract of flowers from Nycantus arbor-tristis L. in male mice

Abstract

BackgroundBoiled aqueous extract of flowers (AEF) from Nyctanthes arbor-tristis L. are used in Sri Lankan traditional Ayruvedic Medicine to manage diabetes mellitus. AEF has widely been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of various ailments due to its therapeutic activity. However, little is known concerning therapeutic activity of the extract as well as its underline mechanisms and safety. Diabetes is known to increase low-density cholesterol and decrease high-density cholesterol thus triggering coronary diseases. Hence, the primary objective of the present study is to investigate the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of the AEF.MethodsAEF was prepared and male mice (n = 9 group) were gavaged either with 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg of AEF or distilled water (DW). Subsequently, fasting and random blood glucose concentrations were determined. To investigate mechanisms of actions of AEF, animals were orally administered with 500 mg/kg or the vehicle (DW) and glucose tolerance was performed before and after glucose challenge. For further studies, in vitro alpha-amylase assay and glucose absorption from the gastrointestinal tract were performed using 500 mg/kg of the extract. Additionally, glycogen content in the liver and skeletal muscles, a complete lipid profile assay, and toxicological and biochemical parameters were conducted after a chronic study.ResultsFive hundred mg/kg and 750 mg/kg of AEF significantly (p < 0.01) reduced fasting blood glucose levels respectively by 49 and 39 % at 4 h post-treatment, while 500 mg/kg of AEF also decreased the random blood glucose level significantly (p <0.01) by 32 % at 4 h post-treatment. AEF significantly inhibited glucose absorption by 85 % from the intestine and increased diaphragm uptake of glucose by 64 %. The extract also exhibited inhibition (16.66 %) of alpha-amylase enzyme activity. It also decreased the level of total cholesterol (by 44.8 %), triglyceride (by 53 %) and increased (by 57 %) the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Treatment with AEF did not induce any overt signs of toxicity or hepatotoxicity.ConclusionResults the present study indicated that AEF possess hypoglycemic and hypolipdemic properties. Therefore, AEF could be used as an alternative medicine in management of diabetes mellitus.

Hypoglycemic potential of Trixis angustifolia aqueous extract in alloxan-induced diabetic mice

“…A higher hypoglycemic effect at doses >100 mg/kg was expected, but when a dose of 200 mg/kg was administrated a lower reduction in blood glucose levels was observed. This dose-independent effect could be linked to the presence of some other constituents in the aqueous extract which at high concentration could be acting as antagonist agents of the hypoglycemic effect as described in other aqueous plants extracts (Rangika et al, 2015). In phytochemical screening of aqueous extract, we observed the moderate presence of saponins and alkaloid.…”

Hypolipidaemic and antioxidant capacities of polysaccharides obtained from Laminaria japonica by different extraction media in diet‐induced mouse model

“…Dietary antioxidants offer protection against ROS-/RNS-induced stress and damage through their direct actions based on mechanisms complementary to the functions of enzymatic antioxidants in the human body as well as their close association and support to primary and secondary enzymes (Durackova, 2010). Among these antioxidant species, antioxidative polysaccharides extracted from various raw materials in nature and their derived products have attracted increasing attention (Li et al, 2014;Jiang et al, 2015;Rangika et al, 2015). Among these antioxidant species, antioxidative polysaccharides extracted from various raw materials in nature and their derived products have attracted increasing attention (Li et al, 2014;Jiang et al, 2015;Rangika et al, 2015).…”

“…There are many dietary antioxidants that can be sourced from nature including protein-, polysaccharide-or lipid-based substances and small molecule phytochemicals such as vitamins and polyphenols (Lobo et al, 2010;Nimse & Pal, 2015). Among these antioxidant species, antioxidative polysaccharides extracted from various raw materials in nature and their derived products have attracted increasing attention (Li et al, 2014;Jiang et al, 2015;Rangika et al, 2015).…”

Systemic Review on Anti-Sciatica Plant “Night Jasmine” (Nyctanthes arbortristis Linn.)

“…Results the present study indicated that AEF possess hypoglycemic and hypolipdemic properties. Therefore, AEF could be used as an alternative medicine in management of diabetes mellitus (Rangika et al, 2015).…”