Tania Paul, Biswadeep Das, Kishori G Apte, Suchitra Banerjee and Ramesh C Saxena
To evaluate the potential of Adiantum philippense Linn in hyperglycemia induced by alloxan monohydrate, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the fern, Adiantum philippense were assessed at two dose levels of 500 mg/kg and 250 mg/kg (p.o) respectively. Both the extracts treated groups at two doses exhibited significant hypoglycemic effect when compared to standard drug, glibenclamide and disease control group at an interval of 14 days which is evident from Plasma Glucose levels and Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) values.
The serum parameters for kidney functioning like Urea, Creatinine, and lipid profile like Triglycerides, Cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol along with liver enzymes like SGPT and SGOT were assessed which favoured the potential of the fern in causing anti-hyperglycemia. At the end of 14 days study, the levels of liver glycogen of the rats of all the groups were estimated in vitro which showed higher glycogen content in the extract treated groups as compared to the diabetic rats.
To further potentiate the role of this fern in producing hypoglycemia the antioxidant property was evaluated in the extracts through ABTS radical scavenging assay and in the pancreatic tissue by Superoxide Dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), Reduced glutathione (GSH) and Lipid peroxidation (LPO) assays. Among the parameters estimated there was an increase in the levels of SOD, CAT, GSH whereas decrease in the LPO levels in the extracts treated groups which further support the role of Adiantum philippense Linn, in lowering the hyperglycemic state of experimentally induced diabetic rats. Purification of its active principles will be carried out to focus on its lead component that may be helpful in current therapy for treating Diabetes and its complications by rescuing tissues from free radicals and oxidative stress.