Hypoglycaemic activity of extracts from soft corals of Andaman and Nicobar coasts in rats.

ABSTRACT

The ethylacetate extract of soft corals collected from Andaman and Nicobar Coasts were screened for hypoglycaemic activity in fasting rats. Rats were divided into 5 groups. Group I received 0.5 ml of 5% gum acacia suspension (control). Group II received the extract of Cladiella australis (CAS), at a dose of 250 mg/kg. Group III received the extract of Sinularia new species (SNS), at a dose of 75 mg/kg. Group IV received the extract of Lamnalia new species (LNS), at a dose of 400 mg/kg and Group V received the extract of 250MF-CBR-13 at a dose of 250 mg/kg. All extracts were administered orally. Blood samples, collected before the administration of test extracts and also at 2, 4, 6, and 8 hr after treatment, were analysed for glucose content. The percentage blood glucose reduction from that of control was also calculated. A very promising hypoglycaemic activity was observed in rats with CAS at 8 hr (42.3%), with SNS at 4 hr (28.34%) and 6 hr (40.6%), with LNS at 6 hr (32.38%) and with MF-CBR-13 at 6 hr (20.25%).