Hypoglycemic Effect of Selected Plant Species in Diabetic Patients

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In the present project it was attempted to see the hypoglycemic effect of certain plant species in diabetic subjects. The subjects were fed with Neelkanthi (Ajuga bracteosa) and Plakhar (Ficus lacor) leaves alone and in combination with oats, soybean flour, amla powder and tomato juice for a span of 3 weeks. The sugar level was investigated and it was observed when Neelkanthi fed alone there was a 22.70 and 31.14 percent decrease in fasting and postprandial blood sugar. Plakhar was also noticed for its hypoglycemic effect but was found less effective in comparison of Neelkanthi as the per cent decrease was found as 3.41 and 19.47 in both the cases whereas, all the combinations were found most satisfactory. The neelkanthi and plakhar with oats were more hypoglycemic. The finding of this investigation indicates that the usage of these plant leaves resulted in a better decreased blood sugar level in both the cases.

Introduction:

The prevalence of diabetes has been steadily on the escalating for the past 3 decades, mirroring an increase in the prevalence of obesity and overweight people. In particular, the occurrence of diabetes is growing most rapidly in low and middle income countries. In 2015, worldwide there were 415 million people with diabetes by 2040 are estimated to increase 642 million. There were million cases of diabetes in India in 2015. Even 36.1 percent cases of diabetes in Indian adults who are undiagnosed. Globally in 2015, there were 5.0 million deaths occur due to diabetes means every 6 seconds one person dies from diabetes. There are several medicines available in the market to treat diabetes mellitus but no drug is found to be fully effective and safe. However, plants and plant-derived products have proven to be effective and safe in the treatment of various types of diabetes mellitus. In Indian system of medicine, several medicinal plants have found potential use as blood sugar lowering agents. Many of them have been scientifically explored for their usefulness in managing diabetes, the reports of which have been acknowledged and published in a number of scientific journals. These plants have no side effects and many existing medicines are derived from the plants.

Himachal Pradesh is well known for its richness in biodiversity and there are so many known and unknown plant species, which could prove to be quite effective against common ailments including diabetes. Keeping in view the increasing incidents of diabetes, there is an urgent need to explore some of the widely grown plant species for the hypoglycemic effect. In the present work it was attempted to see the hypoglycemic effect of certain plant species viz. Neelkanthi (Ajuga bracteosa) and Plakhar (Ficus lacor) leaves in diabetic subjects. The subjects were fed with Neelkanthi (Ajuga bracteosa) and Plakhar (Ficus lacor) leaves alone and in combination with oats, soybean flour, amla powder and tomato juice for a span of 3 weeks and tested hypoglycemic effect.

Materials and Methods

Raw material was collected from nearby villages, washed thoroughly to remove dust and debris and dried in a dehydrator at ± 50°C till completely dried. Cooled at room temperature and stored in air tight containers till further use.

Experiment with diabetic subjects

Thirty non-insulin dependent volunteers’ diabetic subjects were selected from total 150 respondents. The selected patients were randomly divided into 12 groups and kept on suitable therapy for three weeks. The various interactions are given in Table 1. They were kept on controlled diet calculated on the basis of their age and weight along with the test materials for a period of 3 weeks.

T0S0

Control

T1S0

Roasted wheat chapati

T2S0

Neelkanthi (Ajugabracteosa)

T2S0

Neelkanthi (Ajugabracteosa) + Oat flour

T2S2

Neelkanthi (Ajugabracteosa) + Soybean flour

T3S0

Plakhar (Ficuslacor)

T3S0

Plakhar (Ficuslacor) + Oat flour

T3S2

Plakhar (Ficuslacor) + Soybean flour

T4S0

Neelkanthi (Ajugabracteosa)+ Amla powder

T4S2

Plakhar (Ficuslacor) + Amla powder

T5S0

Neelkanthi (Ajugabracteosa)+ Tomato

T5S2

Plakhar (Ficuslacor) + Tomato

 

Experiment with diabetic subjects (interactions).


Desirable

Acceptable

Poor

Fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl)

80-115

<140

>140

2 h post prandial plasma glucose (mg/dl)

120-160

<200

>200

 

 

 

 

Biochemical indices of metabolic control.

Collection of blood sample

Five ml of fasting and postprandial (2 hour after meal) blood samples of thirty selected NIDDM patients were collected before and after starting the supplementary experiment of three weeks.

Analysis of blood samples

Serum glucose was analysed by Bayer diagnostics Auto Blood Analyzer based upon glucoseoxidase (GOD)/ peroxidase (POP) method (Bayer Diagnostics India Ltd.) by Trinder.

Conclusion

 

Through the trial, it can be concluded that though both the species showed a decrease in blood sugar level Neelkanthi proved to be more effective than Plakhar. These species then combined with Oat flour and Amla powder lowered the blood sugar level in the human diabetic subjects. Plants are natural antioxidants and effective herbal medicines, in part due to their anti-diabetic compounds, such as flavonoids, tannins, phenolic, and alkaloids that improve the performance of pancreatic tissues by increasing the insulin secretion or decreasing the intestinal absorption of glucose. More researches are needed in order to separate the active components of plants and molecular interactions of their compounds for analysis of their curative properties.

Contact Person:

Valentina Rose

Editorial Office,

Endocrinology and metabolism: Open Access

endometabol@healthcareinsights.org