Abstract

IN VITRO STUDY ON ALPHA GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITORY ACTIVITY OF ABUTILON INDICUM LINN: EFFECT OF EXTRACTION SOLVENTS

Tanaya Ghosh and Prasanta Kumar Mitra*

ABSTRACT

Abutilon indicum Linn. (A. indicum L.), a medicinal plant, has many pharmacological activities like anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative, anti-arthritic, anti-diabetic, anti-pyretic, anti-malarial, anti-estrogenic, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, wound healing etc.. The plant also possesses alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity. Aim of the present work was to see effect of solvent extracts on in vitro alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity of A. indicum L. leaves. A. indicum L. leaves were collected from medicinal plant garden of North Bengal University and identified by the taxonomist. Solvent extractions of the leaves were made separately by using chloroform, petroleum ether, ethanol, isopropanol and hexane. Extracts were separately dried and processed for in vitro alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity by standard method. Acarbose, an alpha glucosidase inhibitor, was used as control. Results showed that ethanol extract of A. indicum L. leaves had maximum alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity in comparison to that of other solvent extracts. This study therefore indicates that ethanol extract of A. indicum L. leaves may be used in the management of diabetes.

Keywords: Abutilon indicum linn. leaves; solvent extractions; alpha glucosidase inhibitory activity, acarbose, diabetes.