Anti-hyperglycemic and antinociceptive activity of methanol leaf and stem extract of Nypa fruticans Wurmb

Pak J Pharm Sci. 2011 Oct;24(4):485-8.

Abstract

Nypa fruticans Wurmb. (Arecaceae) is a mangrove palm well-known for its traditional uses by the local practitioners against different ailments in southern regions of Bangladesh. However, the plant is yet to be scientifically studied. The present study was done to evaluate the anti-hyperglycemic and antinociceptive potential of methanolic extract of leaf and stem of Nypa fruticans Wurmb. (MENF). The anti-hyperglycemic activity was tested on glucose loaded hyperglycemic mice whereas antinociceptive activity was evaluated using a model of acetic acid-induced writhing in mice. The crude MENF was found to show significant oral anti-hyperglycemic activity on glucose loaded mice at every dose. Maximum anti-hyperglycemic activity was observed at a dose of 500 mg MENF/kg body weight, which was more than what was obtained with a standard drug glibenclamide at a dose of 10 mg glibenclamide/kg body weight). Significant antinociceptive activity was also demonstrated by MENF in acetic acid-induced writhing mice model. The extract caused a maximum of 39.88% (p<0.001) inhibition of writhing at the dose of 600 mg/kg body weight, which was better than the result obtained with a standard drug (200 mg aspirin/kg body weight, 49.34% inhibition). These findings indicate that MENF has significant anti-hyperglycemic and antinociceptive activity and thus have great potential as a source of natural products.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Acetic Acid / pharmacology
  • Analgesics / therapeutic use*
  • Animals
  • Arecaceae / chemistry*
  • Aspirin / therapeutic use
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Glucose / administration & dosage
  • Glucose / pharmacology
  • Glyburide / pharmacology
  • Glyburide / therapeutic use
  • Hyperglycemia / blood
  • Hyperglycemia / chemically induced
  • Hyperglycemia / prevention & control
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / pharmacology
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Male
  • Methanol / chemistry*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • Pain / chemically induced
  • Pain / prevention & control
  • Pain Measurement
  • Phytotherapy / methods
  • Plant Extracts / isolation & purification
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use*
  • Plant Extracts / toxicity
  • Plant Leaves / chemistry*
  • Plant Stems / chemistry*

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Blood Glucose
  • Hypoglycemic Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Glucose
  • Acetic Acid
  • Aspirin
  • Glyburide
  • Methanol