Antidiabetic Potential and its Relationship with Polyphenol and Degree of Polymerization in Acalypha indica Linn Leaves

Acalypha indica commonly known as Kuppi belongs to family Euphorbiaceae. Traditionally the plant used as a laxative, anthelmintic, cathartic and the juice is used as a speedy emetic for children and expectorant. It is used by tribal areas of Maharashtra State as rheumatic arthritis and as antihyperglycemic. However, no scientific data is available to validate the ethnobotanical claim. Keeping the above information in view, the present study has been designed to evaluate its antidiabetic activity. In the present study, hydroalcoholic extract of leaves and its fractions were studied for its anti diabetic potential in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The poly phenolic, flavonoid and flavanone contents of hydroalcoholic extract and its fractions were also determined and correlated with its anti diabetic activity. The experimental data indicated that the hydroalcoholic extract and its chloroform soluble fraction has significantly lowered the elevated blood glucose levels by 36.82% and 61.52% respectively at dose level of 400 mg/kg per oral after 7 days as compared to diabetic control. The poly phenolic and flavonoid content of hydro alcoholic extract and its chloroform soluble fraction were found to be 7.9 ± 0.20 mg and 1.14 ± 0.21mg (gallic acid equivalent/ g extract) and flavonoid content 2.02 ± 0 .50 mg and 0.56 ± 0.003mg (rutin equivalent/g extract) respectively. The increased anti diabetic potential of chloroform fraction over hydro alcoholic extract is due to its partial purification achieved by fractionation which resulted in increase in degree of polymerization and segregation of secondary metabolites.