Objective: To evaluate the total phenolic, flavonoid contents and in vitro antioxidant activity of methanol extract of Xanthosoma sagittifolium corm. Methods: Total phenolic content was estimated using the Folin Ciocalteu method. The flavonoid content was determined using aluminium chloride. In vitro antioxidant activities were evaluated by studying DPPH radical scavenging activity, hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, superoxide radical scavenging activity, ABTS radical cation scavenging activity and reducing power capacity were determined using standard procedure. Results:Xanthosoma sagittifolium corm exhibited 0.32g100g-1 total phenolic; 0.26g100g-1 flavonoid and better scavenging activity of DPPH (78.22±0.56%), hydroxyl radical (69.11±0.21%), superoxide radical (83.27±0.08%) and ABTS radical cations(76.11±0.07%).Conclusions: The present studies confirm the methanol extracts have potential in vitro antioxidant activity.

Objective: To investigate the phytoconstitutent of ethanol extract of Polycarpaea corymbosa (L.) Lam using GC-MS. Methods : GC-MS analysis of whole plant extract were performed using a Perkin-Elmer GC Clarus 500 system and Gas Chromotograph interfaced to a Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) equipped with a Elite - I, fused Silica Capillary Column (30mmí 0.25mm 1Dí1 μMdf ,composed of 100% Dimethyl polysiloxane). Results: The results of the GC-MS analysis confirmed the presence of thirteen compounds. The most prevailing compounds are Furazano [3,4-b] pyrazin-5(4H)-one, 6-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-,1,(2-Acetoxyethyl)-3,6-diazahomoadamantam-9-one oxime, cycloarbital etc. Conclusions: From the results, it can be concluded that the plant extract show the presence of 13 phytocompounds. The presence of various bioactive compounds justifies the use of the whole plant for various ailments by traditional practitioners.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidaemic effect of ethanol extract of Melastoma malabathricum (M. malabathricum) Linn. leaf in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

METHODSDiabetes was induced in albino rats by administration of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg i.p). the ethanol extracts of M. malabathricum at a dose of 150 and 300 mg/kg of body weight were administrated at a single dose per day to diabetes induced rats for a period of 14 d. The effect of ethanol extract of M. malabathricum leaf extract on blood glucose, plasma insulin, creatinine, glycosylated haemoglobin, urea serum lipid profile [total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and phospholipid, serum protein, albumin, globulin, serum enzymes (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminases), serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminases, and alkaline phosphatase] were measured in the diabetic rats.

RESULTSIn the acute toxicity study, ethanol extract of M. malabathricum leaf was non-toxic at 2 000 mg/kg in rats. The increased body weight, decreased blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin and other biochemical parameters level were observed in diabetic rats treated with both doses of ethanol extract of M. malabathricum leaf compared to diabetic control rats. In diabetic rats, ethanol extract of M. malabathricum leaf administration, altered lipid profiles were reversed to near normal than diabetic control rats.

CONCLUSIONSEthanol extract of M. malabathricum leaf possesses significant antidiabetic and antihyperlipidaemic activity in diabetic rats.