ISSN 2326-7267
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology ISSN: 2326-7267 Vol. 6 (4), pp. 001-006, April, 2017. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Evaluation of anti-hyperglycemic and free radical scavenging activity of Melothria maderaspatana Linn. in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats
S. Hemalatha1*, A. K. Wahi1, P. N. Singh1 and J.P.N. Chansouria2
1Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
2Centre of Experimental Medicine and Surgery Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.
Accepted 09 November, 2016
Abstract
The anti-hyperglycemic activity of aqueous extract of Melothria maderaspatana Linn. was evaluted in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Free radical scavenging activity of aqueous extract of M. maderaspatana was assessed in vitro using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH). Oral administration of aqueous extract of M. maderaspatana significantly decreased the blood glucose level in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. This extract also lowered the serum cholesterol, lipid peroxidation (LPO) and hepatic tissue LPO levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. M. maderaspatana showed free radical scavenging activity when assayed in an in vitro system using 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) stable free radical. Pretreatment of M. maderaspatana failed to show any protective action against streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Aqueous extract of M. maderaspatana (2 g/kg p.o.) showed significant antihyperglycemic, hypocholesterolemic and free radical scavenging activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Key words: Antihyperglycermic activity, DPPH, free radical scavenging activity, LPO, Melothria maderaspatana, streptozotocin.