Evaluation of Anti-Diabetic Activity of Leaves and Fruits of Ficus religiosa Linn
1Sagar Institute of Research, Technology and Science
– Pharmacy Bhopal
2Sagar
3Department of
Pharmacy,
ABSTRACT:
The ethanolic extract of the leaves and fruits of Ficus religiosa
Linn. was evaluated for its antidiabetic activity in normal rats and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Fruit extracts were found to
have no effect on normal rats while they were effective in lowering the
elevated blood glucose level in experimental diabetic rats. Fruit extract in a
dose of 250 mg/kg body weight was found to be more effective than 100 mg/kg body
weight.
KEYWORDS: Ficus religiosa, Antidiabetic, Alloxan diabetic
model.
INTRODUCTION:
Ficus religiosa Linn. (Syn:
Peepal, Ashvatha) is a
large perennial tree belonging to the family Moraceae.
It is found throughout the plains of
Plants material:
Matured leaves and
fruits were collected from the plant of
Animals Used:
Healthy and 2-3 months
old albino Wister rats of either sex (weighing 140-160gm) were procured from
DRDE,
Preparation of Extract and Standard Drug:
The coarsely powdered
air-dried materials were extracted with cold maceration process separately,
using 95% ethanol as solvent. The filtrate was concentrated to yield a
semisolid mass (Yield: leaves – 11.24% w/w and fruits 21.56% w/w on dry basis).
TABLE 1: Effect of Ethanolic Extracts of
Leaves and Fruits of Ficus religiosa in Alloxan Induced
Diabetic Rat
|
Group |
Treatment Dose/kg body wt. |
Blood Glucose Level (Mg/dl) After Days |
% Blood Glucose Change |
||||
|
Before Treatment |
0 |
7 |
14
|
21 |
|||
|
I. |
Vehicle control ( |
80.22±2.10 |
80.22±2.10 |
81.96±2.14 |
84.81±1.58 |
83.12±1.48 |
--- |
|
II. |
Leaf Ext. alone,
250mg ( |
79.80±3.61 |
79.80±3.61 |
80.22±1.47 |
83.14±1.32 |
80.24±1.12 |
--- |
|
III. |
Fruit Ext. alone,
250mg ( |
80.47±4.54 |
80.47±4.54 |
81.63±1.66 |
83.25±1.61 |
82.15±1.41 |
--- |
|
IV. |
Diabetic control
(Diabetic) |
81.75±2.14 |
248.33±0.91 |
285.77±3.09 |
267.92±1.65 |
259.92±1.65 |
--- |
|
V. |
Leaf Ext.
100mg(Diabetic) |
84.31±1.54 |
249.44±4.87 |
241.87±6.58 |
236.88±0.96* |
230.1±0.96* |
7.75% |
|
VI. |
Leaf Ext. 250mg (Diabetic) |
89.6±6.14 |
248.71±5.55 |
239.55±2.20 |
232.15±1.06* |
228.15±1.06* |
8.26% |
|
VII. |
Fruit Ext. 100mg
(Diabetic) |
82.7±5.17 |
247.14±3.62 |
230.59±5.09 |
219.64±3.02** |
198.51±0.21** |
19.67% |
|
VIII. |
Fruit Ext. 250mg
(Diabetic) |
90.1±5.17 |
250.50±4.33 |
237.16±1.65 |
211.58±0.79** |
190.21±0.21** |
24.06% |
|
IX. |
Glibenclamide.600 µg
(Diabetic) |
89.5±1.3 7 |
234.73±1.59 |
201.48±2.64 |
156.31±2.15** |
101.51±0.19** |
56.75% |
Values are given as mean ± S.D. for 6 rats in
each group, Values not sharing common superscripts differ significantly at P
<0.001
Both the extracts indicated the presence of
carbohydrates, proteins and amino acids, sterols and saponins
while fruit extract also showed the presence of phenolic
compounds on qualitative chemical analysis10. The extract was
suspended in 0.3% w/v carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC)
solution11. Suspension of each extract was given orally
in a dose of 100mg/kg body wt. and 250mg/kg body wt. to selected groups of
animals once daily through out the experiment. Glibenclamide at a dose of 600 mg/kg
(in 0.3%CMC) was used as standard drug and given orally, once daily throughout
the experiment.
Induction of Diabetes:
Experimental diabetes in rats was induced by
injecting alloxan monohydrate intraperitoneally
at a single dose of 150 mg/kg body wt. (5% w/v solution in sterile water) to
overnight fasted animals12. After 72 hrs of alloxan
administration13, blood was collected from sino-ocular
puncture in a centrifuge tube containing anticoagulant (10% sodium citrate
solution) and the plasma was separated by centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 10
min. and immediately blood sugar level was analyzed in autoanalyzer
(GOD-POD method)14. Rats with blood glucose levels of
200-300 mg/dl were considered as diabetic and were employed in the study.
Experimental design:
The rats
were divided into 9 groups of 6 rats each. All animals were allowed free access
to food and water. The rats of group I, group II and group III were normal
while the rats of group IV to group IX were diabetic surviving. The treatment
was carried out for 21 days12.
Group I:
Group II:
Group III:
Group IV: Diabetic rats treated
with vehicle alone.
Group V: Diabetic rats treated with leaf
extract, 100 mg/kg
Group VI: Diabetic rats treated with leaf extract, 250
mg/kg
Group VII: Diabetic rats treated with fruit
extract, 100 mg/kg
Group VIII: Diabetic rats treated
with fruit extract, 250 mg/kg
Group IX: Diabetic rats treated with
Glibenclamide, 600 µg/kg
At 0, 7, 14, and 21 day, the animals were deprived of
food overnight and blood was collected next morning for analysis. Percent
change of blood glucose was calculated as function of time by applying the
formula:
Gx - Go
% Blood Glucose Change =
――――― x 100
Go
Where, Gx = Initial
values
Go = Values at minutes time interval.
Statistical Analysis:
Values are represented as means ± S.D. for 6
animals in each group. Data are analyzed using one-way analysis of variance
(ANOVA). Individual groups are compared critically (Table-I).
In the present study of antidiabetic
activity in rats, alloxan was used as toxicant, which
has been known to induce diabetes mellitus in experimental animals, due to
massive reduction of the β-cells of islets of langerhans
and induce hyperglycemia. Induction of diabetes in rats in present study was
confirmed as a significant rise in blood glucose level. Ficus
religiosa fruit extract was found to reverse this
effect to some extent, when given orally, daily for 21 days. The effect of
extract is compared with a clinically used sulphonyl
urea derivative, Glibenclamide as standard drug which is known to lower blood
glucose level by stimulating, β-cells to release insulin. It is used in
present study to compare the efficacy of the drug in normal and alloxanized diabetic rats.
Table-I depicts the blood glucose level of
different groups of rats on day 0, 7, 14, and 21. Blood glucose level was
significantly (p<0.001) increased in diabetic control Group IV as compared
to vehicle control Group I. Administration of Ficus
religiosa fruit extract (100 and 250 mg/kg body
wt. to Group VII and Group VIII respectively) and Glibenclamide Group IX
significantly (p<0.001) decreased the blood glucose level as compared to
diabetic control Group IV and both the doses of fruit extracts were comparable
to standard drug, Glibenclamide (insignificant difference). Maximum effect was
observed at 250 mg/kg of fruit extract on day 21, while leaves are not more
effective compare than fruits on blood glucose level. The groups treated with
extract alone, at a dose of 250 mg/kg of leaf and fruit extract Group II and
Group III found to be insignificant when compared with vehicle control Group I.
It may be concluded that fruits and leaves are not showing any reduction in
normal blood glucose level in normal animals.
We are thankful to Dr. A. K. Pathak, Dean and Head of Department of Pharmacy, Barkatullah Vishwavidyalaya,
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Received on 21.11.2009
Accepted on 25.12.2009
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all right reserved
Research Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2(1): Jan.-Feb. 2010, 61-63