Preliminary phytochemical and pharmacological (Antidiabetic) screening of Cassia tora Linn

Abstract

In the present study the methanol extracts and their ethyl acetate, n-butanol and dichloromethane fraction of seeds of Cassia tora Linn. were screened for phytochemical profiling and antidiabetic activity. After preliminary phytochemical investigations, methanol extract and its fractions were evaluated for activity employing single does and prolonged treatment in noramal and alloxan induced diabetic albino rats. All the extract were given orally of methanol extract at a dose 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg b. w. for fractions and 100 mg/kg b. w for their sub fraction of active extract. Glibenclamide was used as standard drug (mg/kg b. w. i.p.). The active n-butanol fraction of methanol extract was futher evaluated for antidiabetic activity and phytochemical characterization to isolate an active component. The active component was characterized using modern techniques like UV, IR, ¹H NMR and Mass etc. The present study shows that methanol extract at a doe’s 200 mg/kg b.w. has significant antidiabetic activity in normal, acute as well as prolonged treatment compared to control. Among all fractions of methanol extract, the n-butanol fraction had more significantly reduced the blood glucose level after single does and prolonged treatment and nearly equal to standard Glibenclamide after prolonged treatment. The napthopyrone glycoside was isolated form the n-butanol extract of the seed of cassia tora as active constituent.