In-vivo hepatoprotective and hypoglycemic effects of methanolic extract of Schumannianthus dichotomus rhizome

Abstract

Background: Rhizome of Schumannianthus dichotomus is used in folklore medicine for many years. This study aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective and hypoglycemic activities of the methanolic extract of Schumannianthus dichotomus rhizome. Methods: In hepatoprotective assay, mice were treated for seven days with extract at a doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg and the standard drug silymarin (100 mg/kg). Thereafter 8 ml/kg of 2% v/v CCl4 was administered on the 5th day to induce acute liver injury. Blood samples were obtained and serum enzymes ALP, AST and ALT were assayed and total protein and total bilirubin levels were also assessed. The hypoglycemic effect was evaluated in the mice model. Fasting blood glucose levels were measured and immediately extracts were administered (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg). Glibenclamide was used as standard. After one-hour dextrose was administered and glucose levels were measured after one hour, two hour and three hours. Results: In the hepatoprotective assay, the extract markedly reduced ALP, AST, ALT and bilirubin levels and increased total protein levels in the CCl4-treated mice groups as compared with the standard group. In the hypoglycemic test, the standard drug glibenclamide reduced fasting blood glucose concentration by 57.43% after 3 h while the extract at 400 mg/kg showed 39.84% reduction after the same time span. Conclusion: From the above results, it can be concluded that the plant extract is capable of managing CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and dextrose-induced hyperglycemia.

Keywords

• Schumannianthus dichotomus
• Methanolic rhizome extract
• Hepatoprotective assay
• Hypoglycemic activity