Anti diabetic activity of sida spinosa linn (malvaceae)

1. 224
_________________________________
* Corresponding author:
S.Selvadurai,
Department of Pharmacognosy,
Smt.Sarojini Ramulamma College of Pharmacy, Mahbubnagar, A.P.
E-mail address: sasdurai85@gmail.com
Available Online at: www.ijrpp.com Print ISSN: 2278 - 2648
Online ISSN: 2278 - 2656
(Research article)
ANTI-DIABETIC ACTIVITY OF WHOLE PLANT OF SIDA SPINOSA
LINN. (MALVACEAE) ON DIABETIC INDUCED RATS
*1
S.Selvadurai, 2
R.Senthamarai, 2
T.Shri Vijaya Kirubha, 3
G.Nagarajan, 3
Gayasuddin
Mouid Md.
1
Department of Pharmacognosy, Smt.Sarojini Ramulamma College of Pharmacy, Mahbubnagar, A.P.
2
Department of Pharmacognosy, Periyar College of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trichy – 600021, T.N.
3
Department of Chemistry, Smt.Sarojini Ramulamma College of Pharmacy, Mahbubnagar, AP.
_________________________________________________________________________
ABSTRACT
In the present study, the anti diabetic effect of ethanolic extract of Sida spinosa Linn. (Malvaceae) whole plant
was studied in normal and alloxan induced (120 mg/kg, Single intraperitoneal injection) diabetic rats. Anti-
Diabetic activity in normal rats was tested after administration of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of test extract.
Glibenclamide was used as reference drug and showed significant anti-diabetic effects in normal rats. In anti-
diabetic study a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg of ethanolic extract has shown reduction in triglycerides
(TG), Cholesterol and Glucose level. The results obtained from the experiment provided scientific evidence in
favour of the traditional use of Sida spinosa Linn. whole plant for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Key Words: Anti-Diabetic, Sida spinosa Linn., Alloxan, Glibenclamide.
______________________________________________________________________________________________
INTRODUCTION
Diabetes is one of the most challenging diseases
facing health care professionals today. Its
increasing prevalence puts a large burden on
society and the public health sector [1]
. Type 1
diabetes is characterized by an absolute deficiency
of insulin secretion, associated with auto-immune
destruction of pancreatic β-cells, and this disease is
more likely to occur in relatives of an affected
person [2]
. Type 2 diabetes, which accounts for
more than 90% of cases, is caused by a
combination of resistance to insulin action and
impaired insulin secretion [3]
.
Plants have been reported as an exemplary source
of drugs, and many of the currently available drugs
have been derived directly or indirectly from them.
In recent years, there has been renewed interest in
plant medicine [4-6]
. For the treatment against
different diseases as herbal drugs are generally out
of toxic effect [7, 8]
. Reported from research work
conducted on experimental model animal.
Although in human, whether there is any toxic
effect are not investigated. It is reported that about
800 plants may possess anti-diabetic potential[9]
.
Isolated studies screened various plants having
“folk medicine reputation” by biochemical test for
this Anti-Diabetic effect [10]
.
The plant Sida spinosa Linn. has been claimed to
possess various medicinal properties. The root,
leaves and fruits destroy “Kapha” and “Vata” tonic
in wasting diseases, cure ulcers and biliousness,
useful in urinary discharges, scalding urine,
leprosy, and skin infections. The fruit is also
astringent and cooling [11, 12]
. Sida spinosa Linn. is
used in the treatment of asthma and other chest
ailments and as a tonic [13]
. The leaves have
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Research in Pharmacology and
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reportedly been used for treatment of some skin
diseases and as oral snake bite treatment [14]
. The
roots and leaves of Sida spinosa Linn. are used in
treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery [15]
. The
leaves are demulcent and refrigerant, and are useful
in cases of gonorrhoea, gleet and scalding urine
[16]
.The decoction of the root-bark and root is used
as a demulcent in irritability of the bladder and in
gonorrhoea [17,18]
. The root acts as a gentle tonic
and diaphoretic, and is complied in mild cases of
debility and fever[19]
The present investigation is concerned with the
widely distributed indigenous medicinal plant Sida
spinosa Linn. From the survey and relevant
literature of the plant Sida spinosa Linn. it is most
well known in traditional medicine practices and
less work has been performed on different parts of
the plant. The study investigated the Anti-Diabetic
effects of Sida spinosa Linn. Whole plant in
normal, and alloxan induced diabetic rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Collection of plant
The plant specimen for the proposed study were
collected from Komaneri village, Thothukudi Dist.
Tamilnadu in the month of January 2011, the plant
material was identified and authenticated by Dr. P.
Jayaraman, Plant Anatomy Research Centre,
Pharmacognosy Institute, Chennai. Voucher no.
PARC/2011/825.
Extraction of plant material
The plant material was dried in the shade, then the
shade dried plant material was subjected to get
coarse powder and it was extracted in soxhlet
apparatus using various solvents according to their
polarity. The marc left after acetone extraction was
dried and extracted with 2-3 litres of ethanol 95%
by continuous hot percolation using soxhlet
apparatus. After completion of extraction, it was
filtered and the solvent was removed by distillation
under pressure. The extract was stored in
desiccators [20]
Toxicity evaluation in Mice (OECD, 423
Guidance)
The Ethanol extract was tested for its acute toxicity
in mice. To determine acute toxicity of a single oral
administration of the herbal drug, different doses of
the drug (10, 100, 500, 1000, and 2000 mg/kg)
were administrated to different groups of mice (3
mice were used for each group, control mice
received Normal saline). Mortality and general
behaviour of the animals were observed
periodically for 48 hrs. The animals were observed
continuously for the initial 4 hrs and intermittently
for the next 6 h and then again at 24 hrs and 48
hrs following drug administration.
Effect of Alloxan - Induced diabetic rats
Male Wistar Albino Rats (180 – 200g) were made
diabetic by single IP injection of 120 mg/kg body
weight of alloxan monohydrate (Spectrochem
Pvt.ltd. Mumbai-India) (5% w/v in water). After 4
days blood samples were withdrawn and glucose
levels were determined to confirm the development
of diabetes (>350 mg/100 ml)
Experimental Design
The Anti-Diabetic activity of ethanol extract of
Sida spinosa Linn. were studied by using Albino
Rats. The diabetes was induced chemically using
Alloxan. Male Wistar Albino Rats (180 – 200g)
were used for the study. Animals were fasted for 16
hours but were allowed for free access to water
prior to the experiment. Fasted rats were divided
into five groups of six animals each.
Group I - - Served as Control (0.9%W/V Saline)
Group II - Diabetic control (Alloxan 120 mg/kg)
Group III - Standard drug (Glibenclamide 10 mg/kg)
Group IV - Ethanol Extract of Sida spinosa (200 mg/kg/p.o)
Group V - Ethanol Extract of Sida spinosa (400 mg/kg/p.o)
Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis was performed using one
way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by
Dunnett-t Test were expressed as Mean ± SEM
from six rats in each group. P- values <0.05
were considered significant.

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Table – 1 Effect of Ethanolic extract of Sida spinosa Linn. on Blood Glucose Level in alloxan induced
diabetic rats
Group Treatment Blood Glucose level (BGL) in mg dL
-1
Initial 4
th
Day 7
th
day 10
th
Day
Control 85.67±1.585 87.00±1.693 86.33±2.155 83.00±4.405
Diabetic Control 298.8±5.205 322.0±5.568 358.3±3.774 354.0±8.359
Standard 305.8±4.929*
222.0±6.923*
175.7±4.522*
137.7±4.849*
(Glibenclamide 10 mg/kg)
Ethanolic Extract 304.0±6.512*
229.3±5.766*
190.5±5.058*
190.7±2.813*
(200 mg/kg)
Ethanolic Extract 306.3±6.249*
224.0±4.412*
200.3±5.920*
182.8±8.304*
(400 mg/kg)
Values are Mean ± SEM; n = 6; *
P < 0.05 vs. Diabetic Control
Table – 2 Effect of Ethanolic extract of Sida spinosa Linn. on Biochemical Parameters
in alloxan induced diabetic rats
S.No Parameters Control Diabetic
control
Standard
Glibenclamide 10
mg/kg
Ethanolic
extract 200
mg/kg
Ethanolic
extract 200
mg/kg
1
2
Triglycerides
Total
cholesterol
44.42 ± 0.595*
108.50 ±4.332*
50.60 ± 1.569*
118.00 ±6.361*
45.43 ± 0.869*
105.6 ± 2.932*
47.60±0.757*
116.6±4.737*
46.08±1.511*
113.5±5.506*
Values are Mean ± SEM; n = 6; *
P < 0.05 vs. Diabetic Control
Fig – 1 Effect of Ethanolic extract of Sida spinosa Linn. on Blood Glucose
Level in alloxan induced diabetic rats
Blood GlucoseLevel (BGL) in mg dL-1
Initial
4th
day
7th
day
10th
day
0
100
200
300
400
DiabeticControl
Glibenclamide
EthanolicExtract200mg/kg
EthanolicExtract400mg/kg

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Fig: 2 Effect of Ethanolic extract of Sida spinosa Linn. on Biochemical Parameters
in Alloxan induced diabetic rats
triglycerides
C
ontrol
D
iabetic
C
ontrolG
libenclam
ide
Ethanolic
Extract200m
g/kg
Ethanolic
Extract400m
g/kg
0
20
40
60
Total Cholesterol
C
on
trol
D
iabetic
C
o
n
tro
lG
lib
en
clam
id
e
E
th
an
o
lic
E
xtract
200m
g/kg
E
th
an
o
lic
E
xtract
400m
g/kg
0
50
100
150
Histopathological Studies
A portion of pancreas tissue in each group was
fixed in 10 % Formaldehyde (Formalin diluted to
10 % with normal saline) and preceded for
histopathology. After paraffin embedding and
block making, serial sections of 5 µ thickness were
made, stained with hematoxylin and eosin and
examined under microscope. A few photo
micrograph of representative type were also taken.
Fig – 3 Histopathological details of Ethanolic extract of Sida spinosa Linn.
Normal Pancreas Alloxan induced (120 mg/kg)
Standard Drug Ethanolic extract
(Glibenclamide 10 mg/kg) Sida spinosa (200 mg/kg)

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Ethanolic Extract of
Sida spinosa (400 mg/kg)
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The plant extract of Sida spinosa Linn. showed
Anti-Diabetic activity by reducing blood glucose
level significantly. It is also much effective when
compare with the standard drug Glibenclamide. It
reduce blood glucose level up to 224.0, 200.3,
182.8 mg dL-1 at successive days of 4, 7, 10 at the
dose of 400 mg/kg in rats compare with the
standard drug which reduce blood glucose level
upto 222.0, 175.7, 137.7 mg dL-1. We found that
the ethanolic extract of plant Sida spinosa Linn. is
effective in reducing blood glucose level compare
to the standard drug (Glibenclamide).
The cellular integrating and architecture were intact
in the control group. Pancreatic section stained
with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) showed that
alloxan caused severe necrotic changes of
pancreatic islets, especially in the centre of islets.
Nuclear changes, karyolitic, disappearance of
nucleus and in some places residue of destroyed
cells were visible. Relative reduction of size and
number of islets especially around the central
vessel and severe reduction of beta cells were
clearly seen Diabetic control.
These was also a relative increase of granulated and
normal beta cells is the diabetic group which
consumed 200 mg/kg body weight ethanolic
extract, when compared with the diabetic group
which consumed 400 mg/kg body weight ethanolic
extract. Pancreas of the diabetic group which
consumed Glibenclamide 10 mg/kg body weight
showed close similarity to group which consumed
with test extract.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study indicate that
consumption of the ethanolic extract of Sida
spinosa Linn. exerts significant Anti-Diabetic
effect in diabetic rats. Histopathological studies of
the pancreas of diabetic treated rat show evidence
of signs of regeneration of ß cells in groups
receiving Sida spinosa Linn. in view of the
restorative (protective) effects of the extract on
pancreatic islet cells. Further investigation with
longer period of higher doses may show clearer
features of these findings.
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