Antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of flower extract from Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub.

Abstract

Flowers of Butea monosperma (Lam.) Taub. have been widely used in treatment of various diseases and different purposes such as antifertility, antidiarrhoea, antifungal, antiinflammatory, antimicrobial, anticancer, antihelmintic, and antidiabetic properties. However, few studies on antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of flower extract from this plant have been established. The present study was therefore, carried out to investigate antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of flower extract from Butea monosperma. The plant flowers were shade dried, powdered and extracted with 80% ethanol. Antioxidant activity of flower extract from Butea monosperma (BMFE) was investigated in vitro model using 2,2 diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. An antidiabetic activity of BMFE was conducted in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by oral administration of BMFE at a dose of 250 mg/kg once daily to the rats for 8 weeks. Body weight and fasting blood glucose level were examined weekly. Additionally, after eight weeks of treatment, serum insulin, lipid profile and blood chemistry of the rats were investigated. The results revealed that BMFE showed low potent free radical scavenging with IC50 at 231.64+0.99 μg/ml compared to L-ascorbic acid (1.48+0.07μg/ml). BMFE reduced (p<0.05) blood glucose level, and increased (p<0.05) serum insulin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total protein (TP). Nevertheless, BMFE slightly increased triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) in the diabetic rats. These findings indicate that the flower extract from Butea monosperma possesses antioxidant activity and antidiabetic activity which lowering blood glucose level by increasing insulin secretion. Long term utilization of the extract should be considered as it affects hepatic and renal function.