Antihyperglycemic Efficacy of Pongamia pinnata (L.) Pierre Against Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats and its Correlation with Phytochemical Screening

S. Morajkar Abhay, B. Sharma Bharat and R. Kharat Kiran

Background and Objective: Pongamia pinnata (L.) and its various parts have been used as a traditional medicine in the treatment and prevention of several kinds of ailments in many countries such as for treatment of piles, skin diseases, wounds healing and antidiabetic. This study was aimed at evaluating in vivo effects of P. pinnata on glycemic markers, the structural integrity of the pancreas and phytochemicals responsible for hypoglycemic effect and pathophysiology of the pancreas. Materials and Methods: Experimental induction of diabetes was carried out by alloxan monohydrate followed by oral administration of P. pinnata extracts. Blood was collected from the retro-orbital plexus to assess the changes in Blood Sugar Fasting (BSF), Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and Mean Blood Glucose (MBG) levels. In the end, pancreas were prepared for histopathological studies. Chemical fingerprinting and LC-MS characterization was carried out to know the compound responsible for glycemic index reversal and pancreatic altered histopathology. Results: Treatment with alcoholic extract of P. pinnata produces a significant reduction in levels from 339.81-99.41 mg dL^–1 in BSF, 13.63-8.4% in HBA1c and 269.97-125.67 mg dL^–1 in MBG. Pongamia pinnata enhanced the histo-architectural changes in the exocrine and endocrine part of the pancreas but was distinct with PPAlcExt extract. Photochemistry reveals 43 common compounds from both the extract belongs to a different class of phytochemicals. Conclusion: The result accentuates that bioactive phytochemicals derived from plants can be an alternative source of natural drugs that can be used to treat diabetes.

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