ABSTRACT
The methanol extract of Acacia ferruginea (Family- Mimosaceae) was studied for possible antidiabetic activity on normoglycaemic, OGTT and alloxan induced diabetic rats at doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg, p.o. The acute toxicity studies were carried out on Swiss albino mice to determine the LD50 values. The experiments were performed as per OECD guidelines. The results of the normoglycaemic, OGTT and hyperglycaemic studies revealed that the extract exhibited reduction in blood glucose concentration in a dose dependant manner as compared to the standard drug metformin (250 mg/kg, p.o.). The acute toxicity studies revealed no signs of mortality in animals treated with a single dose of 2000 mg/kg body weight. Preliminary phytochemical studies of the methanol extract revealed presence of alkaloids, steroids, triterpenoids, saponins, flavonoids, tannins and phenolic compounds, carbohydrates, gums and mucilages, proteins and amino acids. The present study justifies the use of the plant for treating diabetes as suggested in folklore remedies.
ABSTRACT
Chloroxylon swietenia DC. (Family: Rutaceae) is an important traditional medicinal plant used in the treatment of various ailments like fungal infection of skin, rheumatism, common cold, cough, ophthalmic infection and cataract, wounds and as an astringent. However, detailed scientific information is not available to identify the plant material, in order to ascertain its quality and purity. In this paper, we report the pharmacognostic evaluation of the bark for the purpose of its identification and differentiation from related species. The macroscopy, microscopy, physicochemical parameters such as moisture content, ash values, extractive values, fluorescence analysis and preliminary phytochemical analysis of the bark were investigated. Transverse section of the bark shows presence of cork, cortex, medullary rays, and stone cells. Presence of cork, stone cells, phloem fibres and parenchyma cells which were also observed in the powdered sample of the bark. The result of preliminary phytochemical screening indicated presence of alkaloids, steroids, carbohydrates, proteins, phenolic compounds, tannins flavonoids and triterpenoids. The present study will be useful for its identification prior to carrying out further research work. The findings of this study will facilitate pharmacognostic standardization of the plant material and aid in the preparation of a herbal monograph for the species.