Abstract

ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY STUDIES WITH MALVA VERTICILLATA LEAVES

Farhana Akter and Mohammed Rahmatullah*

ABSTRACT

Background: Malva verticillata, also known as Chinese mallow and cluster mallow is considered a medicinal herb by traditional medicinal practitioners in Bangladesh The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antihyperglycemic efficacy of methanol extracts of the leaves of the plant (MEMV). Methods: Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was done to evaluate antihyperglycemic efficacy. Results: In oral glucose tolerance tests, MEMV dose-dependently and significantly reduced blood glucose levels in glucose-loaded mice. At doses of 50, 100, 200 and 400 mg per kg body weight, MEMV lowered blood glucose levels by 20.4, 32.0, 37.2, and 46.6%, respectively, compared to control animals. By comparison, a standard antihyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide reduced blood glucose levels by 45.3% at a dose of 10 mg per kg. Conclusion: The leaves can be an effective means for lowering blood glucose in persons with elevated blood glucose levels like people with diabetes.

Keywords: Antihyperglycemic, Malva verticillata, OGTT, diabetes.