US EPA

1293307 

Journal Article 

Hypoglycemic Activity of Ruellia tuberosa Linn (Aeanthaceae) in Normal and Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rabbits 

Ullah, S; Shahwar, D; Ullah, S; Ahmad, M; Ahmad, N 

2012 

Yes 

Journal of the Chemical Society of Pakistan
ISSN: 0253-5106 

34 

2 

436-441 

English 

WOS:000306533600033 

The present study was carried out to determine the hypoglycemic activity of the methanol extract and solvent fractions (n-hexane and ethyl acetate) in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits. Optimum dose of R. tuberosa for hypoglycemic activity was determined by oral administration of methanol (ME) extract to normal and diabetic rabbits. Diabetes was induced by intra-peritoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg body weight). Hypoglycemic effect of n-hexane (HxF) and ethyl acetate (EaF) fractions was evaluated at a dose of 150 and 100 mg/kg respectively in normal and diabetic rabbits. Optimum dose (equivalent to 500 mg/kg) of R. tuberosa to normal and diabetic rabbits showed significant blood glucose lowering effect. EaF (100 mg/kg) showed the highest anti-diabetic activity with 34.31 ± 0.43 % (P < 0.005) decrease in glycemia while HxF (150 mg/kg) showed moderate anti-diabetic activity and lowered the blood glucose level around 15.17 ± 0.58 % (P < 0.005). The results were compared with the standard drug tolbutamide (100 mg/kg). Phytochemical investigation of EaF and HxF indicated flavonoids and triterpenoids in the extracts respectively. The results were in agreement with the folkloric use of R. tuberosa in the treatment of diabetes and related complications. 

Acanthaccae; hypoglycemic activity; optimum dose; R. tuberosa; alloxan-monohydrate