Evaluation of a labdane diterpene forskolin isolated from Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi (Cucurbitaceae) revealed promising antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic pharmacological properties

Abstract

Solena amplexicaulis (Lam.) Gandhi (Family Cucurbitaceae) is one of the important plant species used by the Irula tribes of Walayar valley of southern Western Ghats, India for the management of diabetes. To confirm the antidiabetic property of S. amplexicaulis, the present study was addressed using crude methanolic leaf extract of S. amplexicaulis (MeOHSa) and its isolated compound, Forskolin against streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), blood glucose, lipid profile, serum liver markers, antioxidants, hemoglobin and glycogen were evaluated using standard procedure. The oral administration of Forskolin and MeOHSa (600 mg/kg b.w.) for 30 days resulted in significant restoration of all these parameters supported by histopathological observations too. The results clearly suggest that the Forskolin (diterpene) possess potent antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities, which may be considered as a lead molecule for therapeutic purposes, and the source of Forskolin i.e. S. amplexicaulis can be further exploited for pharmaceutical industries.

Keywords: Antidiabetic; Antihyperlipidemic; Antioxidant; Cucurbitaceae; Forskolin; Solena amplexicaulis.

Fig. 1

Effect of MeOHSa and Forskolin on OGT. Values are mean ± SEM (n = 6). ^aP < 0.001, significantly different from the respective control group.

Fig. 2

Photomicrograph showing (a) pancreatic islet of normal untreated control group, (b) STZ-induced diabetic group, (c) diabetic + MeOHSa (600 mg/kg b.w.) treated group, (d) diabetic + Forskolin (10 mg/kg b.w.) treated group and (e) diabetic + Glibenclamide (600 µg/kg b.w.) treated group.