Investigation of hypoglycemic,hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of aqueous extract of Terminalia paniculata bark in diabetic rats

Objective:To investigate the hypoglycemic,hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of aqueous extract of Terminalia paniculata bark(AETPB) in streptozotocin(STZ)-mduced diabetic rats.Methods:Acute toxicity was studied in rats after the oral administration of AETPB to determine the dose to assess hypoglycemic activity.In rats,diabetes was induced by injection of STZ(60 mg/kg,i.p.) and diabetes was confirmed 72 h after induction,and then allowed for 14 days to stabilize blood glucose level.In diabetic rats,AETPB was orally given for 28 days and its effect on blood glucose and body weight was determined on a weekly basis.At the end of the experimental day,fasting blood sample was collected to estimate the haemoglobin(Hb),glycosylated haemoglobin(HbA1c),serum creatinine,urea,serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase(SGPT),serum glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase(SGOT) and insulin levels. The liver and kidney were collected to determine antioxidants levels in diabetic rats.Results: Oral administration of AETPB did not exhibit toxicity and death at a dose of 2000 mg/kg.AETPB treated diabetic rats significantly(P<0.001,P<0.01 and P<0.05) reduced elevated blood glucose, HbAlc,creatinine,urea,SGPT and SGOT levels when compared with diabetic control rats.The body weight,Hb,insulin and total protein levels were significantly(P<0.001,P<0.01 and P<0.05) increased in diabetic rats treated with AETPB compared to diabetic control rats.In diabetic rats, AETPB treatment significantly reversed abnormal status of antioxidants and lipid profile levels towards near normal levels compared to diabetic control rats.Conclusions:Present study results confirm that AETPB possesses significant hypoglycemic,hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities in diabetic condition.

Hepatoprotective activity of Terminalia paniculata against paracetamol induced hepatocellular damage in Wistar albino rats

Objective:To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of Terminalia paniculata against paracetamol induced hepatic damage in rats.Methods:The plant material was shade dried, powdered and extracted with ethanol.Liv 52 and silymarin were used as standard drugs and 2%gum acacia as a control(vehicle).Alteration in the levels of biochemical markers of hepatic damage like AST,ALT,ALP and lipid peroxides were tested,and phytochemical tests were also performed.Results:Paracetamol(2 g/kg) increased the serum levels of alanine aminotransfer (ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP) and the lipid peroxides. Treatment of Liv 52,silymarin and ethanolic extract of Terminalia paniculata(200 mg/kg) altered levels of biochemical marker and showed significant hepatoprotective activity.Ethanolic extract revealed the presence of phenolic compound and flavanoids.Our findings suggested that ethanolic bark extract of Terminalia paniculata possessed hepatoprotective activity in a dose dependent manner.Conclusions:Terminalia paniculata possesses hepatoprotective activity.It could be an effective and promising preventive agent against PCT induced hepatotoxicity.

In vitro anti oxidant activity and acute oral toxicity of Terminalia paniculata bark ethanolic extract on Sprague Dawley rats

Objective:To ensure the safety and evaluate the anti oxidant activity of Terminalia paniculata(T.paniculata)ethanolic extract in Sprague Dawley rats.Methods:The solvent extracts(hexane,ethyl acetate and ethanol)of T.paniculata were subjected to phytochemical analysis and their DPPH radical scavenging activity was assayed.The oral acute toxicity was evaluated using ethanolic extract of T.paniculata.Results:Ethyl acetate and elhanolic extracts showed more phytochemicals,whereas highest DPPH scavenging activity was found in ethanolic extract.In an acute toxicity study,T.paniculata ethanolic extract was orally administered(1000 mg/kg body weight)to rats and observed for72 h for any toxic symptoms and the dose was continued up to 14 d.On the 15th day rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected from control and test animals and analyzed for some biochemical parameters.We did not observe any behavioral changes in test groups in comparison with their controls.Also,there were no significant alterations in biochemical,hematological(hemoglobin content and blood cells count)and liver function parameters such as serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase,serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase,alkaline phosphatase,total proteins,albumin and bilirubin levels between T.paniculata ethanolic extract treated and normal control groups.Conclusions:Together our results demonstrated that T.paniculala ethanolic possessed potent antioxidant activity and it was safer and non toxic to rats even at higher doses and therefore could be well considered for further investigation for its medicinal and therapeutic efficacy.

Macrofungal assemblage with two tree species in scrub jungles of south-west India

Macrofungi are common and widespread in scrub jungles of southwest India during monsoon season.Assemblage of macrofungi in the vicinity of two tree species Anacardium occidentale(introduced)and Terminalia paniculata(native)were evaluated.Occurrence on different substrates(soil,leaf litter,wood,bark,seeds,live roots and insect)in and around trees was monitored at weekly intervals up to 12 weeks during southwest monsoon season based on the quadrat method.More number of macrofungi were associated with Terminalia compared to Anacardium(36 vs.22 spp.)and 14 species were in common.The species richness ranged from 2-8,which was almost opposing between tree species on each week with a gradual decline.The sporocarp richness ranged from 3-61 in Anacardium,while it was from 8-132 in Terminalia with two peaks during week 4 and 7 followed by a steep decline.The species accumulation curve reached a plateau after four weeks in Anacardium,while it was exponential in Terminalia until 12 weeks.The Simpson and Shannon diversities were higher in Terminalia compared to Anacardium with low Pielou’s equitability.In Anacardium,mushrooms were found on six substrates with a highest on soil as well as wood(9 spp.),while on seven substrates in Terminalia with a highest in soil(18 spp.).Anacardium was in association with one,while Terminalia with three ectomycorrhizal species.The pattern of distribution and diversity of macrofungi have been compared with earlier studies with different habitats of scrub jungles.