Evaluation of Anti –diabetic activity of Asteracantha longifolia in Long Evans Rats

Abstract

Asteracantha longifolia (L.) Nees, Acanthaceae, is a source of the ayurvedic drug, 'Kokilaaksha' and the Unani drug, Talimakhana. The seeds are acrid, bitter, aphrodisiac, tonic, sedative, used for diseases of the blood. The plant is known to possess antitumor, ant diabetic , aphrodisiac, antibacterial, free radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation, hepatoprotective and haematopoietic activity. It contains lupeol, stigmasterol, butelin, fatty acids, and alkaloids. The present review article is focused on phytochemical, pharmacological and other important aspects of Talimakhana.In the current study , the ethanolic extract of Asteracantha longifolia is in vestigated to con firm its properties and activities mentioned in the traditional medicine .This research includes study on anti diabetic activity by Disaccharidase test and six segment investigations . Six Segment method, the amount of sucrose unabsorbed in different GIT segments were evaluated in control rats vs. rats fed with 100mg/kg extract at 30 minutes, 1hour, and 2hour. In assessing the effect of the plant materials on intestinal disaccharidase activity, the amount of unabsorbed sucrose in Pancreatic Enzymes are evaluated in control rats vs rats fed with 100mg/kg extract. The extract caused a significant (p<0.05), dose dependent inhibition of glucose absorption and showed hypoglycemic effects in Long-Evans rats weighing about 100-200 gm.The objective of the study was to evaluate the antti diabetic activity of ethanolic fraction of Asteracantha longifolia and to probe into its mechanism of action. Asteracantha longifolia ethanolic extract showed significant antidiabetic activity .This study suggest that ethanolic extract of Asteracantha longifolia has significant antidiabettic effect in a dose dependant manner and these may be effective in the treatment of diabetes .