Antidiabetic activity of Smilax china roots in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

A study of ancient literature indicates that diabetes was fairly well known and well conceived as an entity in India. Plant-based drugs have been used against various diseases since a long time. The nature has provided abundant plant wealth for all the living creatures, which possess medicinal virtues. The essential values of some plants have long been published, but a large number of them have remained unexplored to date. Therefore, there is a necessity to explore their uses and to conduct pharmacological studies to ascertain their therapeutic properties. In fact, nowadays, diabetes is a global problem. Hence, the present study aims to open new avenues for the improvement of medicinal uses of Smilax china ( Liliaceae) for the selected area for diabetes. Another important objective of such a study is to bring the anti-diabetic medicinal plants sector on a firm scientific footing, raise awareness and add value to the resource. Dried aqueous, alcoholic, and petroleum ether (60-80°C) extracts of roots of Smilax china were subjected for hypoglycaemic activity in Wistar rats (150-200 g). Blood sugar level was determined using digital glucometer. The oral administration of root extracts at doses of 200 mg kg lead to a significant blood glucose reduction. This laid the foundation to study the active compounds of such anti-diabetic plants that are responsible for the hypoglycemic activities.