Antibacterial activity of various leaf extracts of Merremia emarginata

Objective:To investigate the antibacterial activity and phytochemical screening of the aqueous.methanol and petroleum ether leaf extracts of Merremia emarginata(M.emarginata).Methods:The antibavterial activity of leaf extracts of M.emarginata were evaluated by agar well diffusion method against four selected bacterial species.Results:The presence of tannins,flavonoids,amino acids,starch,glycosides and carbohydrates in the different leaf extracts was established.The methanol extract was more effective against Baciilus cereus and Eseherkhia coli,whereas aqueous extract was more effective against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.Condusions:The results in the present study suggest that M.emarginata leaf can be used in treating diseases caused by the tested organisms.

Antidiabetic effect of Merremia emarginata Burm.F.in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Objective:To investigate the antidiabetic property of Merremia emarginata(M.emarginata) Burm.F.plant in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.Methods:The dose dependent effects of 28 days oral treatment with methanol extract(100,200 and 400 mg/kg) from the plant oi M.emarginata on blood glucose level,body weight,insulin,total hemoglobin,glycosylated haemoglobin(HbA1C),total protein,serum urea,serum creatinine and carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes were evaluated in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.Histology of pancreas was also studied.Results:A significant decrease in blood glucose,serum urea and serum creatinine and significant increase in body weight,insulin and protein level were observed in diabetic rats treated with M.emarginata.Treatment with M.emarginata resulted in a significant reduction of HbAlC and an increase in total hemoglobin level.The activities of carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes such as hexokinase were significantly increased whereas glucose-6phosphatase,fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase were significantly decreased by the administration of M.emarginata in diabetic rats.Histology of diabetic rats treated with M.emarginata showed the pancreatic β-cells regeneration.Conclusions:These findings suggest that M.emarginata has potent antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.