Abstract

ELEPHANTOPUS SPICATUS: A PLANT WITH HITHERTO UNREPORTED ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC AND ANTINOCICEPTIVE POTENTIAL

Md. Ezazul Haque, Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background. Elephantopus spicatus is a plant occasionally observed in the northeastern part of the country. Virtually nothing is known on the medicinal properties of the plant. It was of interest to conduct antihyperglycemic and antinociceptive activity studies on the plant, because other species belonging to the Elephantopus genera have been reported to possess such pharmacological activities. Methods. Antihyperglycemic activity was determined through oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT). Antinociceptive activity was determined by observed decreases in abdominal constrictions (writhings) in intraperitoneally administered acetic acid-induced pain model in mice. Results. Administration of methanol extract of whole plant led to dose-dependent reductions in blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded mice. At doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight, the extract significantly reduced blood glucose levels by 13.0, 36.6, and 48.1%, respectively compared to control animals. By comparison, a standard antihyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide, when administered at a dose of 10 mg per kg body weight, reduced blood glucose level by 47.3%. In antinociceptive activity tests, the extract at doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight reduced the number of abdominal constrictions by 29.6, 33.3, 37.0, and 40.7%, respectively. A standard pain relieving (antinociceptive) drug, aspirin, reduced the number of writhings by 33.3 and 48.1%, respectively, when administered at doses of 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight. Conclusion. Antihyperglycemic and antinociceptive activities have not previously been reported for Elephantopus spicatus. The plant can be a potential source for components towards lowering blood sugar and for alleviating pain.

Keywords: Antihyperglycemic, Elephantopus spicatus, OGTT, antinociceptive, Asteraceae.