Isolation of β-sitosterol and evaluation of antidiabetic activity of Aristolochia indica in alloxan-induced diabetic mice with a reference to in-vitro antioxidant activity

Stigmast-5-en-3β-ol (β-sitosterol) was isolated from the chloroform extract of the aerial parts ofAristolochia indica (CEAI). The structure and relative configuration of Stigmast-5-en-3β-ol (β-sitosterol) was determined by spectroscopic methods (1H- and 13C-NMR, IR, and MS). CEAI was found to produce good antidiabetic activity in treated mice. It reversed the weight loss of diabetic mice and restored to normal blood sugar level. The efficacy of the extract was compared with standard drug, Glibenclamide (10 mg/kg p.o.) in diabetic mice. CEAI also showed significant antioxidant activity in the level of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radicals with IC50 value being 7.325 and 8.498 µg/ml, respectively. The anti-hyperglycemic effect of the extract might be due to an increase in peripheral glucose consumption as well as protection against oxidative damaged in alloxanised diabetes. Key words: Aristolochia indica, antioxidant, antidiabetic activity, alloxan, glibenclamide, diabetes, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide anion radical, β-sitosterol.