Objectives: Eugenia jambolana (E. jambolana) is well known for its antidiabetic potential. The aim of the present study was to investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidative effect of an active compound (FIIc) isolated from fruit-pulp of E. jambolana in streptozotocin (45 mg/kg body weight)-induced diabetic rats.
Methods: FIIc was isolated from the crude aqueous extract of fruit-pulp by ion-exchange column chromatography and high-performance column chromatography. Detailed UV, NMR, and IR spectra suggested that FIIc is α-hydroxy succinamic acid. FIIc was orally administered to diabetic rats at a dose of 10, 15, and 20 mg/kg body weight (mg/kg bwt.) to determine its effective dose. Thereafter, effective dose was administered to 8 weeks to determine its antidiabetic and antioxidative activity by estimation of glycemic index, lipid profile, key enzymes of carbohydrate metabolism, and oxidative stress parameters.
Results: Administration of 15 mg/kg dose daily for 8 weeks led to significant (P < 0.001) fall in fasting blood glucose. Treatment with FIIc (15 mg/kg bwt.) showed significant improvement (P < 0.001) in all the biochemical parameters.
Discussion: The results demonstrate that FIIc possesses significant antidiabetic and antioxidative activity.
Keywords: Eugenia jambolana; antidiabetic activity; antioxidative activity; diabetes mellitus; streptozotocin.