STUDY OF ORAL HYPOGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY OF RHIZOMES OF HEMIDESMUS INDICUS R. Br. IN ALBINO WISTAR RATS Tabassum

The present study was carried out to evaluate oral hypoglycemic activity of rhizome of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. in Albino wistar rats. Hemidesmus indicus (Family: Asclepiadaceae) is a commonly known Indian Medicinal Plant. It contains various phytoconstituents like hemidesminine, hemidine, hemidesmin-1 and hemidesmin-2 and other chemical constituents like glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, sterols and volatile oils. Diabetes mellitus (DM), commonly referred to as diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which there are high blood sugar levels over a prolonged period. Streptozotocin induced diabetic albino wistar rat by administrating graded oral doses (200 and 400 mg/kg b.wt.) injected to group 3 and 4 for 90 days. This study also includes histopathological studies of pancreas. Phytochemical screening of methanol rhizome extract of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. The presence of alkaloids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, tannins and steroid. Metformin (100mg/kg) as standard oral hypoglycemic agent for 12 weeks resulting in significantly reduction in blood glucose. The present research work indicated that Hemidesmus indicus R.Br. methanol extract of rhizome (HIME) have prominent antidiabetic effect at a dose of 400 mg/kg in experimental diabetic rats.. Experimental results showed that the extract is capable of decreasing blood glucose level associated with diabetes. It was concluded that administration of methanol extract of rhizome of Hemidesmus indicus R.Br.(HIME) was effective in decreasing the blood glucose level. INTRODUCTION: Medicinal plants, since time immemorial have been in use for treatment of various diseases all over the world. Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemic, glucoseurea and negative nitrogen balance and it is mainly due to lack of insulin secretion in beta cells of pancreas and desensitization of insulin receptors for insulin. The disease has reached epidemic proportions in the present century. It is the most prevalent disease in the world affecting 25% of population and afflicts 150 million people and is set to rise to 300 million by 2025. 1 QUICK RESPONSE CODE DOI: 10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.7(11).4602-07 Article can be accessed online on: www.ijpsr.com DOI link: http://dx.doi.org/10.13040/IJPSR.0975-8232.7 (11).4602-07 Several drugs such as biguanides and sulfonylureas are presently available to reduce hyperglycaemia in diabetes mellitus. These drugs have side effects and thus searching for a new class of compounds is essential to overcome these problems. 2 Management of diabetes without any side effects is still a challenge to the medical community. There is continuous search for alternative drugs. Therefore, it is prudent to look for options in herbal medicine for diabetes as well. Traditional antidiabetic plants might provide new oral hypoglycaemic compounds, which can counter the high cost and poor availability of the current medicines/present day drugs for many rural populations in developing countries. In accordance to the recommendations by the WHO expert committee on diabetes mellitus, investigations on hypoglycemic agents from medicinal plants have become more important.