Objective

This research is to investigate the antihyperglycaemic activity and the underlying mechanisms of action of the ethylacetate extract of Chlorophytum alismifolium (EACA) in a type 2 diabetes model.

Methods

Tissue from whole plants was powdered and sequentially extracted in hexane followed by ethylacetate, using a Soxhlet apparatus, and subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The acute toxicity of EACA was investigated in albino Wistar rats. An antihyperglycaemic study was carried out using high-fat diet (pelletized diet and margarine in the ratio of 10:1 and 20% fructose solution) and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemic Wistar rats. The effects of the extract (150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) on blood glucose level, insulin, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) were evaluated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The oral median lethal dose in Wistar rats was estimated to be > 5000 mg/kg. Treatment with EACA at all doses significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose levels, compared to the hyperglycaemic control, and over time. Administration of EACA increased the serum insulin and PPAR-γ levels while decreasing DPP-4 levels. GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of 13 compounds, with isothiazole and isoxazolidine covering total area of 24.6% and 22.69%, respectively.

Conclusion

The findings from this study showed that EACA has important compounds with beneficial effect in type 2 diabetes and acts by increasing insulin secretion and PPAR-γ level and decreasing DPP-4 activity.

Key words: Chlorophytum alismifolium, Diabetes mellitus, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, Insulin, Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, Dipeptidyl-peptidase 4