Effect of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Melothria Perpusilla on Oral Glucose Tolerance Test in Albino Rats

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a group of common metabolic disorders sharing the phenotype of hyperglycaemia. Certain disadvantages like side effects or less efficacy limit the optimal use of antidiabetic drugs. Aim: To evaluate the effect of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Melothria Perpusilla (EAEMP) on oral glucose tolerance test in albino rats. Materials and Methods: Six healthy albino rats weighing between 100-150 g were selected. The same set of six animals were used for the experiment throughout and successive tests were conducted after a drug wash out period of 10 days. Fasting blood glucose samples were measured using glucometer. A 2% gum acacia suspension {10 ml/kg per oral (p.o.)} was given in all six albino rats followed by the oral glucose load of 3g/kg. Glucose concentrations were estimated at one hour and two hour after the glucose load. Using the same set of animals, similar tests were repeated with the test dose of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg of EAEMP and glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg p.o.). In this experiment, glucose was given immediately at the dose of 3 g/kg p.o. after the treatments. Drug wash out period of 10 days was maintained in between the successive tests to avoid the interference of action of the drug with the other. The non parametric data were analysed by Kruskal Wallis test. Results: EAEMP produced a significant increase in the oral glucose tolerance test when compared with control and standard. Conclusion: Treatment with Melothria perpusilla lowers the blood glucose level due to higher oral glucose tolerance possibly due to release of insulin from the pancreas.

Keywords

• animal experiment
• diabetes mellitus
• glibenclamide
• glucose tolerance