Phytochemical analysis and Hypoglycemic potential of Scindapsus Officinalis (Roxb.) Schott in Laboratory Animals via disaccharide absorption inhibition in GI

In this study, the ethanol extract of Scindapsus officinalis was first evaluated for phytochemical study. Since the compounds found in the fruit are of pharmacological interest, prompted us for its possible anti-diabetic activity. This research was primarily focused on the qualitative and quantitative evaluation of hypoglycemic effect of ethanolic extract of Scindapsus officinalis (EESO) fruit in laboratory animals and whether these effects were of any statistical significance. Qualitative phytochemical tests for the identification of alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, gum and carbohydrates, reducing sugar, saponins, tannin and terpenoids were carried out for the plant extract with proper reagents.. The fruit was further subjected to anti-diabetic study through six segment method and was investigated for antihyperglycemic effects in Long Evans rats. The anti-diabetic effects were estimated by measuring the amount of glucose in the samples, collected from six different segments of the gut, after the experiment. The amount of sucrose unabsorbed in different GIT segments were evaluated in control rats vs. rats fed with 500mg/kg extract at 30 minutes, 1hour, 2hour and 4 hour. Phytochemical analysis of ethanolic extract of Scindapsus officinalis has indicated the presence of steroid, carbohydrate, flavonoid, alkaloid, tanin, saponin and terpenoid-compounds. The extract caused a significant (p<0.05), dose dependent inhibition of glucose absorption and showed hypoglycemic effects in rats weighing from 80 200 gram. In conclusion, these observations provide evidence and possible mechanisms of action for the medicinal properties of fruit of Scindapsus officinalis claimed in Ayurveda medicine.