Abstract

METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF AERIAL PARTS OF RAPHANUS SATIVUS VAR. HORTENSIS SHOWS ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC AND ANTINOCICEPTIVE POTENTIAL

Sharmin Jahan, Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background. Raphanus sativus var. hortensis is a popular vegetable in Bangladesh with roots and aerial parts of the plant forming the edible portions. The objective of this study was to analyze the antihyperglycemic and antinociceptive properties of methanol extract of aerial parts of the plant. 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 aerial parts 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 21.4, 28.6, and 51.5%, 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 22.2, 44.4, 51.9, and 55.6%, respectively. A standard pain relieving (antinociceptive) drug, aspirin, reduced the number of writhings by 44.4 and 55.6%, 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 aerial parts of this variety of R. sativus. Since the plant is widely cultivated in Bangladesh, the aerial parts can be a good source for lowering blood sugar and for alleviating pain.

Keywords: Antihyperglycemic, Raphanus sativus, OGTT, antinociceptive, Cruciferae.