title: Antidiabetic, antioxidant, and TNF-α lowering properties of extract of the traditionally used plant Ixeris gracilis in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ixeris gracilis DC. Stebbins (Asteraceae) is a plant considered to be medicinal by local communities of Meghalaya, India.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the antidiabetic potential, antioxidant activity, and effect of the 80% methanolic extract of the leaves of Ixeris gracilis on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  Varying doses (250-1000 mg/kg body weight) were administered intraperitoneally to normoglycemic mice and their hypoglycemic properties noted for 24 h; the optimum dose observed was used to evaluate its antihyperglycemic activity and effect on glucose tolerance. In vitro antioxidant activity was analyzed by assessing the DPPH radicals scavenging ability of the extract and the total polyphenols, flavonoid, carbohydrate, and protein contents were determined. Diabetic mice were then subjected to daily intraperitoneal injections of the extract for 12 days after which the antioxidant enzyme activities in the tissues were assayed and serum TNF-α was evaluated by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The extract displayed varying hypoglycemic activity. The dose of 250 mg/kg body weight exhibited potent antihyperglycemic activity and improved glucose tolerance. The extract was able to scavenge free radicals (IC50 57.544 µg/ml) and contained polyphenol (76.269 ± 0.204 mg GAE/g dry wt), flavonoid (70.070 ± 0.626 mg rutin equivalent/g dry wt), protein (4.368 ± 8.916 mg/g dry wt), and carbohydrate (558.189 ± 0.002 mg/g dry wt). TNF-α level and overall activity of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in the liver, kidney, and brain of extract-treated diabetic mice were improved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study supports the inclusion of Ixeris gracilis in the list of plants with antidiabetic potential.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, North Eastern Hill University , Shillong, Meghalaya , India.
authors.forename: Donkupar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Syiem
authors.forename: Phibangipan
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Warjri
mesh_terms: D000496:Alloxan; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019659:Asteraceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000737:chemistry; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D051379:Mice; D010851:Picrates / Q000737:chemistry; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D001713:Biphenyl Compounds; D005609:Free Radicals; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010851:Picrates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D000496:Alloxan; C004931:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl
keywords: Antihyperglycemic; DPPH; glutathione peroxidase; hypoglycemic; medicinal plant; superoxide dismutase