title: Hypoglycaemic effect of Melothria heterophylla in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the Indian traditional system of medicine, Melothria heterophylla (Lour.) Cogn., (Cucurbitaceae) is prescribed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In the present study, the antidiabetic effect of ethanol extract of Melothria heterophylla (EEMH), and its active isolated constituents were investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Swiss albino rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Successive Soxhlet extraction of the dried total aerial parts with petroleum ether for defatting and then with ethanol (95%) to obtain ethanol extract, which was concentrated under reduced pressure. Hyperglycemia was induced in rats by STZ (50 mg/kg, body weight). Twenty-four hours after STZ induction, respective groups of diabetic rats received EEMH (200 and 400 mg/kg, body weight), gallic acid (GA) (2 and 4 mg/kg, body weight), and rutin (RU) (2 and 4 mg/kg, body weight), respectively, orally daily for 15 days. Glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg, orally) served as reference. Blood glucose levels and change in body weight were measured on every 5(th) day during 15 days of treatment. Biochemical parameters, viz., serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and serum insulin, were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  EEMH and its active constituents significantly (p < 0.01) normalized blood glucose levels and serum biochemical parameters as compared to those of STZ controls. Both GA (4 mg/kg) and RU (4 mg/kg) exhibited maximum glucose lowering effect (69.1 and 66.7%, respectively) in diabetic rats compared to the other dose (2 mg/kg) at the end of the study. EEMH, gallic acid and RU also showed significant increase in serum insulin, and body weight of STZ-induced diabetic rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Therefore, ethanol extract of Melothria heterophylla, GA and RU demonstrated remarkable antidiabetic activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats.
authors: Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Kolkata-700032, India. arijit_ncp@rediffmail.com
authors: Arijit
authors: A
authors: Mondal
authors: Tapan Kumar
authors: TK
authors: Maity
authors: Dilipkumar
authors: D
authors: Pal
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019662:Cucurbitaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020834:Ethnopharmacology; D005707:Gallic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048550:Hepatic Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D006943:Hyperglycemia / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007194:India; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D035261:Plant Components, Aerial / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D051381:Rats; D012431:Rutin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013311:Streptozocin; D023382:Toxicity Tests, Acute; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D007328:Insulin; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012431:Rutin; D013311:Streptozocin; D005707:Gallic Acid