Abstract

ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY STUDIES WITH METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF WHOLE PLANTS OF PIPER SYLVATICUM

Shahanaj Eatimony and Dr. Mohammed Rahmatullah*

Abstract

Background: Piper sylvaticum, known as pipul in Bangladesh and Mountain Long Pepper in English is considered a medicinal plant by traditional medicinal practitioners in various countries. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether methanolic extract of the whole plant (MEPS) possess antihyperglycemic activity. Methods: Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was done to evaluate antihyperglycemic efficacy. Results: In oral glucose tolerance tests, MEPS dose-dependently and significantly reduced blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded mice. At doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight, MEPS lowered blood glucose levels by 25.9, 31.4, 40.4, and 49.4%, respectively, compared to control animals. By comparison, a standard antihyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide reduced blood glucose levels by 29.7% at a dose of 10 mg per kg. Conclusion: The whole plant can be an effective means for lowering blood glucose in persons with elevated blood glucose levels like people with diabetes.

Keywords: Antihyperglycemic, Piper sylvaticum, OGTT, diabetes.