A Comparative Study on the Hypoglycemic Activity of the Aqueous Extracts of Syzygium cumini Linne ( Myrtaceae) and Psidium guajava Linne (Myrtaceae) on Alloxan- Induced Diabetic Rattus novergicus

Medicine Research project

The primary purpose of this study is to identify the general compounds present in Syzygium cumini (duhat) and Psidium guajava (guava) and to compare their hypoglycemic activity. Phytochemical screening was done to identify and to compare the general compound in both samples. The presence of tannins, glycosides, saponins and reducing substances were identified in both guava and duhat samples. On the other hand, plant acids, alkaloids and flavones were noted to be absent for both samples. Pre-clinical study was done using 40 male rats (Rattus novergicus) weighing 108-205 grams and all were randomly assigned to four different groups (10 per group): Group 1 water (negative control), group 2 Duhat Test solution (250 mg/kg), Group 3 Guava test solution (250mg/kg) and Group 4 Glibenclamide (positive control -3mg/kg). Induction of diabetes was done using alloxan monohydrate with a single dose 1000 mg/kg administered orally. Rats with significant increase in serum glocuse level after a week to the baseline equal or greater than 150-300 mg/dl were considered diabetic. After one hour of oral administration the mean decrease in FBS levels of the four groups was not statistically significant. However, after two hours it became significant. The study suggests that duhat (250g mg/kg) and guava (250 mg/kg) can significantly lower blood glucose level in experimental rats after two hours of oral administration. Their hypoglycemic activities were found to be equal. It can be said that these two samples can be possible sources of lead compounds.