Antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of Phyllanthus fraternus in alloxan induced diabetic animals

Implication of oxidative stress in diabetes due to oxygen free-radical generation and alteration in antioxidant enzymes is now well documented. Phyllanthus fraternus is a widely used folklore plant in several disorders due to its excellent properties and potent phytoconstituents. In this study, antidiabetic and antioxidant potential of petroleum ether, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the whole plant of Phyllanthus fraternus was estimated in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rats. In a 21 days study, animals were divided into six groups (A-F) of six rats each. Group A served as normal control, group B as diabetic control, Groups C, D & E were administered with three different plant extracts (0.5g /kg), and group F was treated with standard drug tolbutamide (0.2g/kg). Administration of Phyllanthus fraternus extracts has remarkably improved the elevated levels of blood glucose. Ethanolic extract has reduced the blood sugar levels in a significant (p<0.001) and sustained manner throughout the study. Aqueous extract has also shown good activity during second week but could not sustain up to third week. Petroleum ether extract could not produce any significant results. Also the extracts tend to improve the altered levels of malondialdehyde, catalase and superoxide dismutase in liver and kidney. Ethanolic and aqueous extracts have shown maximum activity followed by pet ether extract against standard drug tolbutamide. In conclusion, Phyllanthus fraternus possess antidiabetic and antioxidant activity, which could exert a beneficial action against the deadly disease and its associated free radicals complications.