Screening of achillea santolina for anti-diabetic activity and its comparison with caralluma tuberculata.

Abstract

Objectives: The study was designed to investigate the hypoglycaemic effect of Achillea santolina and its comparison with Caralluma tuberculata. Study Design: Experimental study. Setting: Khyber Medical University, Peshawar. Period: July 2017 to February 2018. Material & Methods: Crude extract and carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) extract of Achillea santolina were prepared and administered to normal and alloxan treated diabetic rabbits. These extracts were given in capsule form as well as in cooking oil and their effects on blood glucose levels were observed at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 hours of administration. The results were compared with Caralluma tuberculata. Results: The crude extract 200 mg/kg body weight of Achillea santolina showed marked reduction in mean blood glucose level at 2, 4, 8 and 12 hours with significant (p<0.001) difference when compared with Caralluma tuberculata. The metformin 500 mg/kg body weight was also given to compare its effects with the plant crude extracts, which was more or less intermediate between the crude extracts of Achillea santolina and Caralluma tuberculata. The diabetic rabbits were treated with 100 mg/kg body weight CCl₄ fraction of Achillea in capsule form. Blood glucose levels dropped markedly at 2 hours and further more at 4 hours as observed with Caralluma. Upon comparison with metformin, Achillea found to lower blood glucose levels but quite late than metformin. The diabetic rabbits were also treated with 100 mg/kg body weight CCl₄ fraction of Achillea santolina in cooking oil and Caralluma was found to cause higher reduction in blood glucose levels than Achillea. Conclusion: Both Achillea santolina and Caralluma tuberculata lowered the blood glucose levels but the later turned out to be more significant in developing hypoglycaemia, particularly when taken with cooking oil.