In Vitro Anti-Diabetic Activity of Glycyrrhizaglabraethanolic Extract

Abstract

Objective: Plants offer a variety of medicinal benefits with less side effects and increased efficacy. Glycyrrhizaglabrais a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine like ayurveda and siddha. The roots of this plant provides the main source of medicine commonly used in treatment of ulcers, pulmonary and skin diseases. Diabetes is one of the most common metabolic disorder affecting multiple organs. Many studies are being out on medicinal plants to provide treatment for diabetes which is more easily available and has increased efficacy. Thus, the aim of this study is to find the antidiabetic property of Glycyrrhizaglabraethanolic extract.

Materials and Method: Preparation of glycyrrhizaglabra extract was done by mixing 25 g of glycyrrhizaglabra powder with 250 mL of ethanol and and was extracted using soxhlet apparatus. The antidiabetic properties were tested using alpha amylase and glucosidase inhibitory assay. Different concentrations of glycyrrhiza and standard(acarbose) were used to test inhibition percentage of amylase and glucosidase.

Results: Glycyrrhiza is found to be more effective in inhibition of alpha amylase than standard (acarbose) in lower concentrations like 10 and 20microlitres.However, from 30-50 microlitres, the inhibition percentage of glycyrrhiza is 70-80% while that of standard is 75-85%. The inhibitory action of glycyrrhiza on alpha glucosidase is less compared to standard acarbose in all concentrations however the difference being only 5%.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that glycyrrhizaglabra has good antidiabetic properties.