Antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic activity of leaves extracts of Sapindus emarginatus Vahl

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To identify the antihyperglycemic and antidiabetic activities of various extracts of Sapindus emarginatus.Materials and methods: The antihyperglycemic effects of various extracts of Sapindus emarginatus were studied in glucose-loverloaded hyperglycemic rats at a dose of 400 mg/kg. The biochemical parameters (glucose, urea, creatinine, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, hemoglobin and glycosylated hemoglobin) of the ethanol extract S apindus emarginatus were assessed in glucose-overloaded hyperglycemic diabetic rats at two dose levels (200 and 400 mg/kg).Results: The aqueous, crude aqueous and petroleum ether extracts showed significant activity, but this activity was not as significant as the ethanol extract in the oral glucose-tolerance test. The ethanolic extract of Sapindus emarginatus also exhibited a significant hypoglycemic effect in fasted normal rats. Treatment of diabetic rats with the ethanolic extract restored the elevated biochemical parameters significantly. The activity was dose-dependent.Conclusion: The antidiabetic activity of ethanolic extract of this plant could be attributed to the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, and saponins present in the extract.