Phytochemical screening and establishment of antidiabetic potentiality of aqueous leaf extract of endangered plant <i>Decalepis nervosa</i> in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Objective: To evaluate the presence of phytochemicals in AEDN plant species (Aqueous leaf extract of Decalepis nervosa) and antidiabetic activity in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Either sex rats were grouped into 5 classes. Alloxan monohydrate was used as induced diabetic whereas glibenclamide was used as standard drug. Medicinal endangered plant DN aqueous extract was used with two different doses. Diabetes was induced with Alloxan monohydrate at 150 mg/kg B.w. The AEDN was standardized with Pharmacognostical and phytochemical screening and chemical test confirmed the presence of phytoconstituents like glycoside, alkaloid, phenols, and flavonoids. Acute toxicity was performed for dose selection in antidiabetic study. Results: Glibenclamide at 5 mg/kg b.w. and AEDN (200 mg and 400 mg) extract were given to all diabetic induced rats. The reduction of the blood glucose level may have correlation with the presence of plant secondary metabolites (phenolic compounds) which was identified by TLC and confirmed by HPLC studies. The decreased level of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and liver enzymes activity resulted dose dependency of AEDN extract. OGTT was performed by administration of 200 mg and 400 mg of aqueous extract of DN and 5 mg of glibenclamide to different groups respectively which significantly lower after oral glucose load during blood sample collection. Animal body weight and dose of AEDN extract showed significant effect on blood glucose level (**P<0.01). Conclusion: The first report on the phytochemicals and therapeutic activity of AEDN leaf was established with potential antidiabetic activity by increased insulin secretion via enhanced peripheral glucose utilization mechanism.