Abstract:
Four medicinal plants traditionally used by ayurvedic physicians
were studied for their antihepatotoxic activity and hypoglycaemic
activity in the present study.
Osbeckia octandra (Heenbovitiya) and Melothria maderaspatana
(Heenkakiri) were investigated for antihepatotoxic activity whereas
Ficus benghalensis (Nuga), Artocarpus heterophyllus (Kos) and
Osbeckia octandra for hypoglycaemic activity.
The studies were carried out using Sprague-Dawley rats where
hepatotoxicity was induced with carbon tetrachloride.
The antihepatotoxic properties of the two plant extracts against
carbon tetrachloride damage was confirmed.
Investigations have also been made to isolate the active compounds
from plant extracts and characterization of these compounds also
was carried out.
Post treatment with the plant extracts markedly decreased carbon
tetrachloride mediated alterations in liver histopathology as well
as serum enzymes (Alanine aminotransferase, Asparatate
aminotransferase and Alkaline phosphatase) levels.
In the present investigation it was evident that the liver
protective actions of the crude extract of Melothria maderaspatana
plant is mediated by a mixture of three alkaloids, of almost
similar potency, while in Osbeckia octandra it is mediated through
the action of three flavonoids and two other components.
The ability of the extracts of Osbeckia octandra, Ficus
benghalensis and Artocarpus heterophyllus to lower the fasting
blood glucose level and improve glucose tolerance was investigated
using Sprague Dawley rats as*the experimental model.
The results indicate that the extracts of Osbeckia octandra plant
capable of significantly lowering the fasting blood glucose level
and markedly improving glucose tolerance in rats is dependent on
three flavonoids and one other component. The hypoglycaemic action
of the crude extracts of Ficus benghalensis is mediated through
flavonoids and that of the extract of Artocarpus heterophyllus by
flavonoids and/or alkaloids.
The active components isolated from Osbeckia octandra were
characterized as follows. Less polar compound (Al) (fast running
compound) is a glycoside of a kaempferol related compound or a
chalcone. The compound A2 could be a degradatory product of the
compound Al. Polar compound (B) (slow running compound) is a
derivative of 2-Furoic acid. The information obtained from this
project is not sufficient to do a complete structural analysis.
Therefore further studies have to be carried out to characterize
the structures of the antihepatotoxic and hypoglycaemic compounds
present in four plants investigated.
