In vitro and in vivo evaluation of anti-diabetic potential of strobilanthes cuspidata

Abstract

The interest in medicinal plants stems from their vital role in sustaining life, as diseases have coexisted with humanity, and plant-derived medicines have served as natural remedies. Strobilanthes cuspidata, known for its rich chemical composition, was selected for our study. We conducted extractions from its leaves using various solvents through Soxhlet apparatus and evaluated their pharmacological effects through in vitro and in vivo studies. Our research findings demonstrated promising anti-diabetic activity from multiple extracts. Specifically, 50% inhibition of alpha-amylase activity was observed at 91 µg/ml for the ethyl acetate extract, 80 µg/ml for the aqueous extract, 75 µg/ml for the petroleum ether extract, and 61 µg/ml for acarbose, which served as the positive control. Among all extracts, the ethanolic extract exhibited the most potent anti-diabetic activity, attributed to its higher concentration of bioactive compounds with anti-diabetic properties. This research highlights the therapeutic potential of Strobilanthes cuspidata and suggests that its ethanolic extract could be a promising candidate for developing novel treatments for diabetes mellitus. Overall, our study provides valuable insights into the plant’s medicinal properties and supports further exploration of its bioactive compounds for managing diabetes.