ABSTRACT:
Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder which has emerged as a global public health threat in the present century. The present oral hypoglycemic agents produce undesirable side effects and oxidative stress. Thus there is a need for a safe, cost effective and complementary therapy for Diabetes mellitus. Objective: To evaluate the hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and Alpha amylase inhibitory activity of Croton tiglium extract. Materials & Methods: Different concentrations of the plant extract (1.5, 3, 7, 15.30, 60, 125, 250, 500 and 1000 µg/ml) were prepared in ethanol and subjected to a amylase inhibitory and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity. The absorbance was read at 540nm and 546nm respectively using spectrophotometer. The ability of ethanolic extract of Croton tiglium to scavenge hydrogen peroxide was determined according to the method of Ruch et al (1989). Alpha-amylase inhibitory activity was evaluated according to the method of Bernfield (1955). Results: % Inhibition of hydrogen peroxide by Croton tiglium extract at 20, 40, 60, 80, 100µg/ml was 12.24±0.80, 26.35±0.13, 42.52±0.97, 62.97±0.32, 81.27±0.28 respectively. % inhibition of Alpha amylase by extract of Croton tiglium at 20, 40, 60, 80, 100µg/ml are 23.52±0.28, 32.54±0.12, 42.82±0.46, 55.09±0.09 and 74.15±0.86 respectively. Conclusion: Based on the results we conclude that Croton tiglium as strong in vitro antioxidant and alpha amylase inhibitory activity. Thus, Croton tiglium is a potential antidiabetic agent.