In vitro evaluation of antidiabetic potential of Vetiveria zizoniodes L. [Nash] root extracts

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by inherited or acquired deficiency in production of insulin by the pancreas, or by the ineffectiveness of the insulin produced. It is widely present in all parts of the world affecting nearly 15 % of the population and considered as one of the leading cause of death in humans. In recent years alternative treatment methods are being followed by the diabetic patients in order to avoid side effects of allopathic medicines. Many plant sources are being used to treat diabetes mellitus from time immemorial but all are not validated scientifically. Hence in the present study a commonly available drug source - Vetiveria zizanioides L. (Nash) belonging to the family Poaceae has been chosen and tested for its in vitro antidiabetic potential. Aqueous and ethanolic root extract of Vetiveria zizanioides L. (Nash) were prepared and evaluated for its in vitro antidiabetic potential. Preliminary phytochemical screening of plant extracts revealed the presence of saponin, terpenoid, alkaloid, coumarin, flavanoids, lignins, glycosides and Phenol. The extracts were studied for in vitro antidiabetic activity and its effect on inhibition of glucose diffusion, glycosylation of hemoglobin and glucose transport across yeast cells. From the extracts, ethanol extract exhibited potent inhibition of glucose diffusion, glycosylation of hemoglobin, glucose uptake by yeast cells, significant glucose adsorption capacity, uptake of glucose by rat hemi-diaphragm were found to be in a dose dependent manner. From the results of the study, it is inferred that, Vetiveria zizanioides L. (Nash) root ethanol extract possesses excellent antidiabetic activity compared to aqueous extract. However, these effects need to be confirmed using in vivo models and clinical trials for its effective utilization as therapeutic agent.