PHARMACOGNOSTICAL, PHYTOCHEMICAL, IN-VITRO ANTIOXIDANT AND IN-VIVO ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF STEM BARKS OF CINNAMOMUM TAMALA
Mohammad Asharaf, Vinod Dhote, Kanika Dhote, Rajesh Singh Pawar
ABSTRACT
Traditional plant-based medicines are still needed by the whole world for their primary healthcare benefits. Cinnamomum tamala T. Nees & Eberm (Family Lauraceae) is commonly called as Indian bay leaf or Tejpatta. The leaves and bark of Cinnamomum tamala are used to cure various diseases due to its various properties including astringent, stimulant anthelmintic, diuretic, carminative and used in colic, dyspepsia, and diarrhea. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health problem and the incidence of DM is increasing at alarming rate all over the world. Many Indian medicinal plants have been reported to possess potential antidiabetic activity and could play important role in the management diabetes. The objective of this study was to investigate pharmacognostical, phytochemical features, in vitro antioxidant activities and in vivo anti-diabetic potentials of methanolic extract of stem barks (Cinnamomum tamala) against streptozotocin-induced rat model collected from Bhopal region of Madhya Pradesh. The different pharmacognostical parameters were evaluated as per standard protocols with some modifications. Qualitative analysis of various phytochemical constituents was determined by the well-known test protocol available in the literature. The in vitro antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of the stem bark was assessed against DPPH and reducing power assay method using standard protocols. Rats were given streptozotocin (50mg/kg; i.p.) to induce diabetes, and glibenclamide (5mg/kg body weight) was utilized as the usual medication. Body weight and blood sugar levels were assessed in this study. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycoside, proteins and amino acids, flavonoids, tannin and phenolic compounds, saponins and carbohydrates. The activities of stem bark extracts against DPPH and reducing power assay method were concentration dependent. Oral treatment of methanolic extract of Cinnamomum tamala using rat oral needle at 200 and 400mg/kg doses significantly decreased blood glucose levels in diabetic rats than control rats and increase body wt. Hence, the chemical constituents of the plant extract might help in preventing diabetic complications and may serve as an alternative in the present armamentarium of antidiabetic drugs. Further study to substantiate the use of the plant as antidiabetic is recommended.
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