Abstract

Cissampelos owariensis (lungwort) is a medicinal plant used in Ayurveda for treating diseases. One of such disease is diabetes mellitus. In the present study, ethanol leaf extract of this plant was prepared, and phytochemical composition, acute toxicity, blood glucose lowering effect and improvement of body weight gain in alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg weight) induced diabetic rats were measured and compared with that of a patent drug glibenclamide. Preliminary phytochemical screening of the ethanol leaf extract of C. owariensis revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids and saponins. The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) in rats was 2154 mg/kg body weight (b.wt). Rats were administered C. owariensis extract at dose rate of 100 and 200 mg/kg b.wt orally for 14 days, respectively. Blood glucose concentration and body weight was measured by Accu Chek Glucometre test kit and electronic balance and compared with a patent drug glibenclamide at a dose rate of 100 mg/kg b.wt. The data were compared statistically by using analysis of variance (ANOVA). The herbal preparation of C. owariensis significantly (P<0.05) increased body weight gain and decreased blood glucose when compared with patent drug. The present study clearly indicated anti-diabetic activity of C. owariensis and supports the traditional usage of the herbal preparations for the therapy of diabetics.

Key words: Cissampelos owariensis, glibenclamide, alloxan, toxicology, diabetes, rats.