Antidiabetic and Cytotoxic Effect of Aqueous and Methanolic Leaf Extract of Portulaca oleracae

Abstract

Portulaca oleracea is one of the most used medicinal plants listed by the World Health Organization for diabetes. In the present study, the Antidiabetic and cytotoxic effect of the aqueous and methanolic leaf extract of Portulaca oleracaewas evaluated.Forty-two animals were randomly assigned into seven groups consisting of six animals (n=6). Group I was normal control. Group II-III were normal animals administered with 500 and 1000 mg/kg extract. Group IV-VII were alloxan-induced type 2 diabetes animals. Group V-VI were treated with 500 and 1000 mg/kg extract while Group VII was treated with Glibenclamide. All treatments were administered once a day via oral gavage for 21 days. Blood sample was collected for biochemical essay and organs processed histologically using molten paraffin wax method.The acute toxicity values for methanol and aqueous extracts of Portulaca oleracae weregreater than 5000 mg/kg. Aqueous extract showed the highest reduction in blood glucose level compared to the glibenclamide and methanolic extract. Isolated organs of the treated diabetic animals incontestable showed that Portulaca oleraceaextract improved the kidney shrunken glomeruli and liver centrilobular necrosis. Besides, the acute toxicities of both methanol and aqueous extracts showed no treatment-related mortality at the tested doses.According to the result, Portulaca oleracea is a good source of antidiabetic drug. Both the aqueous and methanolic extracts improved the histology of the anatomic liver, kidney, and heart.