Antihyperglycemic and hypoglycemic activities of Phyllanthus debilis aqueous plant extract in mice

Abstract

The whole plant of Phyllanthus debilis Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) is used in Sri Lanka for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. However, hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activity of this plant has not been scientifically validated. The present study was carried out to examine the antidiabetic potential of P. debilis. Aqueous plant extract (APE) of P. debilis was prepared and normoglycemic mice were orally treated either with 3 doses (497.5, 995, or 1990 mg/kg) of APE, tolbutamide (33.5 mg/kg) or distilled water (control), and fasting and random blood glucose levels were determined. In addition, the toxicity of the APE was examined using chronic administration. In normoglycemic mice, high dose (1990 mg/kg) of APE significantly lowered the fasting blood glucose level in a dose-dependent manner. Further, APE markedly improved the oral glucose and sucrose tolerance tests up to 5 h post-treatment. The improvement of the glucose tolerance test was dose-dependent. In addition, APE significantly inhibited glucose absorption from the small intestine. The APE did not induce any overt toxic signs, hepatotoxicity, or renotoxicity. However, the total red blood cell count and serum HDL level were significantly increased. It can be concluded that APE of P. debilis possesses safe, immediate oral antidiabetic activity and its action is mediated via multiple mechanisms. The results of this study scientifically justified the claims made in the Sri Lankan Ayurvedic system regarding the therapeutic uses of the P. debilis in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Keywords::

• Antihyperglycemia
• diabetes; hypoglycemia
• Phyllanthus debilis
• toxicology

Acknowledgments

The authors are highly indebted to J.R.A.C. Jayakody, Technical Officer, Department of Zoology, University of Colombo and S.P. Fernando, Research Assistant, Department of Zoology, University of Colombo.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.