In-vitro and in-vivo Anti-Hyperglycemic Potential of Prosopis cineraria Pods Extract and Fractions

Abstract

Prosopis cineraria (L.) Druce pods are commonly used as vegetable and it is reported to possess anti-diabetic potential. This study aims to establish α-glucosidase inhibitory potential in-vitro and in-vivo. The shade dried pods were extracted and lyophilized extract was fractionated using solvents of different polarity. These fractions were evaluated for their potential to inhibit enzymes α-glucosidase and α-amylase, in-vitro. The most potent fraction was subjected to oral toxicity study followed by in-vivo sucrose tolerance test. The ethyl acetate fraction was found to be a most potent inhibitor of α-glucosidase with IC₅₀ of 8.38 ± 0.26 μg/ml while n-butanol fraction was the most potent inhibitor of the enzyme α-amylase (IC₅₀ 22.01 ± 0.92 μg/ml). Both fractions were found to be nontoxic and safe in mice up to an oral dose of 2000 mg/kg. Ethyl acetate fraction was found to most potent fraction in-vivo. Ethyl acetate fraction displayed excellent anti-hyperglycaemic activity in-vitro and in-vivo and should be evaluated further to develop as a promising drug for management of diabetes mellitus.

Key words:

• Prosopis cineraria
• α-glucosidase
• α-amylase
• anti-hyperglycaemic
• saponins