ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF PHYSALIS ANGULATA EXTRACTS AND FRACTIONS IN ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

The antidiabetic activity of aqueous methanolic and column fractions from whole plant of Physalis angulata L., an edible plant used for treating various diseases, were evaluated in the oral glucose tolerance test and in alloxan induced diabetic rats and compared to effects of glibenclamide. A dose of the methanolic extract and its column fractions were administered to experimental diabetic rats and their blood glucose levels monitored over 7 days using glucometer. The extract exhibited significant blood sugar lowering effect in the glucose tolerance test and in the alloxan diabetic rats. Fraction F3, which produced improved activity compared to the crude extract, recorded significant reduction of blood glucose levels on day 7 of treatment (58.6% decrease; p less than 0.05) at concentration of 500mg/kg. The hypoglycaemic effect was more pronounced in the hyperglycaemic rats than in normoglycaemic conditions. This plant holds potential for therapeutic application.