Abstract

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE HYPOGLYCEMIC EFFECT OF THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF THE FRUITS OF PSIDIUM GUAJAVA, AVERRHOA BILIMBI AND THE PEEL OF TAMARINDUS INDICA IN NORMOGLYCEMIC GUINEA PIGS

Jagessar R. C.*, Rodrigues A., Prasad K., Husain A., Kanhai V. and Bernarai B.

ABSTRACT

Diabetes is a common endocrine disorder worldwide. Selected plants are a potential complementary source of hypoglycemic drugs to combat diabetes, in addition to the use of synthetic drugs: insulin, metformin etc. This research focused on the hypoglycemic effect of the aqueous extract of the fruits of Psidium guajava, Averrhoa bilimbi and the peel of Tamarindus indica on normoglycemic guinea pigs. The guinea pigs were divided into three groups of three: control group, aqueous fruit extract treatment group at a dose of 6 ml/kg) and glibenclamide treatment group (with the dose 2.5 mg/kg). Guinea pigs received treatment twice daily for 12 days for each fruit and peel. Blood glucose and body weight were measured before treatment and between three days interval. Additionally, each plant extract at the dose of 6ml/kg was orally administered for glucose tolerance test during 120 minutes study in comparison to glibenclamide at the dose of 2.5 mg/kg. Administration of extracts of Psidium guajava, Tamarindus indica and Averrhoa bilimbi resulted in a marked hypoglycemic (reduction) activity in blood glucose levels when compared to the control and Glibenclamide treated group on the 12th day: Psidium guajava (90 ± 3.0 to 75.7 ± 3.5 mg/dL), Tamarindus indica (89.0 ± 5.6 to 70.7 ± 2.1 mg/dL) and Averrhoa bilimbi (110.0 ± 9.2 to 86.7 ± 10.0 mg/dL). Glibenclamide also resulted in a reduction (88.0 ± 2.0 to 67.3 ± 3.5 mg/dL) as

Keywords: compared to the control. This research marked the continuation of the use of plant extracts in Guyana as a possible herbal treatment for diabetes mellitus.