The present study was performed to investigate the efficacy of an ethanol extract of the roots of Tragia cannabina for antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were administered T. cannabina (250 mg/kg) orally for 21 days, and blood glucose level was measured weekly. At the end of 21 days, concentrations of serum lipids such as total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and protein markers such as total protein, albumin, globulin, and albumin:globulin ratio (A:G) were estimated. Also, levels of enzymes such as serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were determined. Antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by estimating lipid peroxides (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase in liver of normal control and STZ- and extract-treated rats. Histopathological changes of liver and kidney were also studied in STZ-induced diabetic animals and normal controls. All these effects produced by the extract were compared with glibenclamide, a standard antidiabetic drug. Oral administration of T. cannabina for 21 days resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose level, lipid concentration, and SGOT, SGPT, ALP, and LPO levels accompanied by an increase in the levels of SOD and catalase in liver tissues of STZ-induced diabetic rats. Altered levels of protein markers also reverted back to normal. Histopathological changes of liver and kidney were returned to normal. The effects produced by the extract were comparable to that of glibenclamide. In conclusion, the T. cannabina showed significant antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats.

The significant glucose levels were reduced (P<0.01) after administration of the pyran ester isolated from T. cannabina to streptozotocin treated chick embryo.

In folk remedies, the whole plant of Phyllanthus rheedii is used to treat diabetes. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro and in silico antidiabetic effects of isolated Phthalic Acid 1-(8-Methyl-Non-2-Enyl) Ester 2-Tetradecyl Ester from the chloroform extract of whole plant of Phyllanthus rheedii and AMP kinase activation property of the isolated compound. The Phthalic acid binds very efficiently within the active pocket of AMPK with the formation of 2 hydrogen bonds which is good when compared to orientation of standard drug Metformin. In in vitro antidiabetic evaluation of STZ treated chick embryo, the administration of isolated compound at a doses of 0.5 mg/egg and 1 mg/egg produced a significant reduction in the blood glucose levels in a dose dependant manner (p < 0.01). The blood glucose level of diabetic control was 244.2 ± 12.64 mg%, whereas it was 207.4 ± 2.43 mg% (P < 0.001) for isolated compound at dose of 0.5 mg/egg and 174.8 ± 2.410 mg% (P < 0.001) for dose of 1 mg/egg of the isolated compound. The significant glucose levels were reduced (p < 0.01) after administration of the compound.