ANTIDIABETIC EFFECT OF HELIANTHUS ANNUUS L., SEEDS ETHANOLIC EXTRACT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN- NICOTINAMIDE INDUCED TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Abstract

Aim: Helianthus annuus L., commonly known as sunflower, have a long history for use in traditional system of medicine. Seeds are claimed to be antihyperglycemic but no scientific data is available to validate the folklore claim In present study, ethanolic extract of sunflower seeds and its fractions are studied for their antidiabetic potential. Phytochemical screening is done to know the various chemical constituents present in extract. We hypothesized that the oral administration of ethanolic extract containing polyphenols from Helianthus annuus L. cause a reduction in diabetes and its complications. Materials and methods: The antihyperglycemic effect of ethanol extract at 250mg/kg and 500mg/kg is studied in normal, glucose loaded hyperglycemic and streptozotocin (STZ) induced Type2 diabetic rats. Results: Administration of alcoholic extract of Helianthus annuus L. at two dosage 250mg/kg and 500 mg/kg, p.o. respectively showed less significant changes in blood glucose level of normoglycemic rats (P<0.05), whereas, oral glucose tolerance test in diabetic rats depicted much reduction in blood glucose levels (P<0.01). Administration of extract in streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats, significantly decreased the blood glucose level (P<0.001) comparable to Glibenclamide (600 µg/kg), restored the lipid profile, showed improvement in body weight, liver glycogen content, glycosylated haemoglobin, plasma malondialdehyde, glutathione level and serum insulin levels in diabetic rats. Conclusion: The study demonstrated the potential antidiabetic property of ethanolic extract of Helianthus annuus L. seeds in Type2 diabetes mellitus, thus justifying the traditional usage. Chlorogenic acid present in seeds is reported to have antidiabetic effect.