title: Studies on the possible mechanisms of antidiabetic activity of extract of aerial parts of Phyllanthus niruri.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The effects of methanol extract of aerial parts of Phyllanthus niruri L. (Euphorbiaceae), an antidiabetic herb, on glucose absorption and storage in diabetes were studied to elucidate the mechanisms of blood glucose lowering and glycemic control in diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effect of chronic oral administration of the extract on glycemic control was evaluated in alloxan diabetic rats using blood glucose lowering and post-prandial glucose suppression activities as well as effects on hemoglobin glycation and body weight. Effects on glucose mobilization and storage were assessed using the weight and glycogen content of liver isolated from treated diabetic rats, while in vitro inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme activities were used as indices of effect on glucose absorption.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed that the extract lowered blood glucose, suppressed postprandial rise in blood glucose following a glucose meal, reduced hemoglobin glycation and increased absolute and relative weights as well as glycogen content of liver in diabetic rats. Treatment with the extract also ameliorated the decrease in body weights caused by the diabetic disease. In vitro, the extract inhibited α-amylase (IC₅₀: 2.15 ± 0.1 mg/mL) and α-glucosidase (IC₅₀: 0.2 ± 0.02 mg/mL) activities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest that aerial parts of P. niruri may owe their blood glucose lowering properties to inhibition of glucose absorption and enhancement of glucose storage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria. charlesokoli@hotmail.com
authors.forename: C O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Okoli
authors.forename: I C
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Obidike
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Ezike
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Akah
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Salawu
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D029803:Phyllanthus; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts