The anti-diabetic activities of the methanol leaf extract of Phyllanthus amarus in some laboratory animals

Abstract

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.

A review on medicinal plants used in the management of liver diseases in West Africa

“…Some authors have also demonstrated the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity of extracts of P. amarus [99,104] . Up to a dose of 1600 mg/kg per os, aqueous leaf extracts did not cause deaths or visible signs of toxicity [105]. The aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts of the whole plant do not show acute toxicities at 5000 mg/kg and subchronic at 3000 mg/kg orally in mice and rats respectively [106].…”

A Review on Role of Plant(s) Extracts and its Phytochemicals for the Management of Diabetes

“…Decline in blood glucose and significant recovery in body weight, reduction in the activities of glucose-6-phosphatase and fructose-1-6-disphosphatase in liver, increase in the activity of glucokinase in liver [374] Plant extract Reduction on the glucose level, no visible lesion seen in the liver, kidney and pancreas [375] Plant extract (three pure pentacyclic triterpenoids, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid and lupeol)…”

Antidiabetic Activity of Indian Mahagoni Plant Extract by Transdermal Therapy

“…An advantage associated with TDD includes avoidance of first past metabolism and variable absorbent including patient compliance. Some of the plants commonly used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus are Gymnema sylvestre, Murraya konige, Ocimum sanctum, Coccinia indica, Phyllanthus amarus [17], etc. S. mahagoni, a plant used in ayurvedic medicine, is useful in treating burning sensation, constipation, leprosy, worm infection bronchitis, inflammations, anemia, and diabetes (Source:www.celastineindia.com/ pankajoudhias).…”