Hypoglycemic effects of three plants from eastern Himalayan belt

Area of Science:

• Ethnobotany
• Pharmacology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Traditional healers in the Eastern Himalayas utilize Costus speciosus, Nephrolepis tuberosa, and Stephania hernandifolia.
• These plants are used for various ailments, with potential applications in metabolic disorders.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of freeze-dried juices from C. speciosus, N. tuberosa, and S. hernandifolia on serum glucose levels.
• To evaluate these effects in nondiabetic and diabetic (NIDDM and IDDM) rat models at different prandial states.

Main Methods:

• Administration of freeze-dried plant juices to rat models (nondiabetic, NIDDM, IDDM).
• Assessment of serum glucose levels under fasting and postprandial conditions (simultaneous or 30 min pre-glucose load).
• Statistical analysis of glucose level changes (p-values reported).

Main Results:

• Costus speciosus and Nephrolepis tuberosa exhibited significant hypoglycemic effects in nondiabetic and NIDDM models when administered before glucose load.
• Stephania hernandifolia increased serum glucose in nondiabetic rats but showed hypoglycemic effects in IDDM models.
• Costus speciosus demonstrated a hypoglycemic effect in IDDM models when administered with glucose.

Conclusions:

• Costus speciosus and Nephrolepis tuberosa show promise as sources of oral hypoglycemic agents.
• Stephania hernandifolia exhibits differential effects on glucose levels depending on the model, warranting further investigation.
• These findings support the ethnobotanical use of these plants and their potential in diabetes management.