Dinesh kumar B1, Analava Mitra2, Manjunatha M2
1Department of Pharmaceutics, PSG College of Pharmacy, Coimbatore-641 004, India.
2School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur -721302, West Bengal, India
Pharmacognosy Communications,2011,1,1,78-83
DOI:10.5530/pc.2011.1.5
Published: July 2011
Type: Research Article
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Azadirachta indica (Meliaceae) leaves are used traditionally in the Indian Ayurvedic medicinal system to treat diabetes. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of azadirachtolide (tetranortriterpenoid from Azadirachta indica leaves) on blood glucose and serum lipid profiles on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were used for the study. Azadirachtolide (at a dose 50 and 100 mg/kg) was administrated intra-peritoneally in diabetic rats once a week for 30 days. Biochemical parameters notably fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, very low-density lipoprotein and high-density lipoprotein were determined. The in vitro alpha amylase and alpha glucosidase inhibitory effects of azadirachtolide were measured and IC50 values were determined. Results: Azadirachtolide exhibited significant (P < 0.05) anti-diabetic as well as hypolipidemic effects by lowering FBS, TC, TG, LDL, and VLDL levels; but also with elevation of HDL level in diabetic rats. Azadirachtolide showed appreciable alpha amylase (IC50 value of 55.80 ± 1.7 μg/ml) and alpha glucosidase inhibitory effects (IC50 value of 47.85 ± 1.4 μg/ ml) compared with acarbose (IC50 value of 83.33 ± 1.8 μg/ml). Conclusion: The present study indicated that azadirachtolide possesses anti-hyperglycemic and anti-lipidemic effects. Thus, results suggested azadirachtolide has a beneficial effect in the management of diabetes associated with abnormal lipid profile and related cardiovascular complications.
Key words: Azadirachta indica, Azadirachtolide, Anti-diabetic, Hypolipidemic.