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.