Evaluation of anti-diabetic potential of Sceletium tortuosum aerial parts against streptozotocin-induced diabetes on wistar rats

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus, the metabolic syndrome where the body either fails to produce or effectively utilize insulin, is associated with chronic morbidity. While a definitive cure for the disease is lacking, with the modern medicine offering mainly the means to control the extent of the disease, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAMs) offers additional/alternate means to tackle the disease. On the other hand, the lack of evidenced medical practices is a lacuna in most of the traditional medical applications. Sceletium tortuosum (Aizoaceae family), a perennial shrub found in the tropics, has been known for its numerous pharmacological properties and is found as a constituent in many Ayurvedic and Siddha drugs. Any evidence based evaluations have not been conducted on the anti-hyperglycemic effect of the plant. In the current study, the ethanolic extract of S.tortuosum, was scientifically assessed for its effect on In-vitro α-amylase inhibition assay, In-vitro α-glucosidase inhibition assay, In vitro anti-glycation assay and In-vivo anti-diabetic activity by streptozotocin induced diabetes in Wistar albino rats. The diabetic rats were divided into 5 groups of 6 animals each. For testing the efficacy of extracts, two groups were intra-orally provided with dosages of 100 mg/Kg and 200 mg/ Kg of body weight of animals, respectively, ofEthanolic extract of S.tortuosum. Control groups were maintained for evaluation, which included vehicle control as well as with Glibenclamide, a standard anti-diabetic drug. The extracts at a dose of 400 mg/Kg body weight was found to be associated with significant amelioration of many of the diabetes induced conditions, suggesting that the plant extract could be a strong potential CAM candidate for therapeutic management of diabetes.