Abstract

ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC AND ANTINOCICEPTIVE POTENTIAL OF LABLAB PURPUREUS BEANS ‘CHITTAGONG’ VARIETY

Tasnim Khan Eusufzai, Rifat-Ues-Sayeed, Shahnaz Rahman,
A.B.M. Anwarul Bashar and Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background. Lablab purpureus is an important bean crop of Bangladesh. A particular variety is popular and grown in the Chittagong region of the country, which differs from normal Lablab purpureus in several aspects. The objective of this study was to scientifically analyze the antihyperglycemic and antinociceptive properties of methanol extract of these beans (fruits containing seeds) of the plant. Methods. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was used to determine antihyperglycemic activity. Antinociceptive activity was determined by observed decreases in abdominal constrictions in intraperitoneally administered acetic acid-induced pain model in mice. Results. Administration of methanol extract of beans led to dose- dependent reductions in blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded mice. At doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight, the extract reduced blood glucose levels by 18.5, 31.7, 35.9, and 48.8%, 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 48.0%. In antinociceptive activity tests, the extract at the above four doses reduced the number of abdominal constrictions by 11.1, 22.2, 40.7, and 55.6, respectively. A standard pain relieving (antinociceptive) drug, aspirin, reduced the number of writhings by 33.3 and 51.9%, respectively, when administered at doses of 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight. Conclusion. To our knowledge, this is the first report on oral glucose tolerance and antinociceptive activity evaluation of fruits of this variety of the plant Since the plant is widely cultivated in the Chittagong and other parts of Bangladesh, the fruits can be used as a source for lowering blood sugar in diabetic patients and for alleviating pain.

Keywords: Antihyperglycemic, Lablab purpureus, Chittagong, antinociceptive, Fabaceae.