Untitled

Abstract

Pereskia bleo Kunth (Cactaceae) is locally known as 'Jarum tujuh bilah'. It has been used traditionally by local Malays for the treatment of diabetes. This study investigates the antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of Pereskia bleo. The leaf, stem, and root aqueous extracts of Pereskia bleo were evaluated for total phenol and flavonoid contents. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH, FRAP and metal chelating assay. The in vivo antidiabetic activity was determined in alloxan induced male Sprague Dawley rats. The LCMS/MS analysis revealed the presence of apigenin 6 glucoside and chrysin. The total phenol and flavonoid contents were highest in the stem aqueous and chloroform extracts at 6.05±0.10mgGAE/g and at 11.07±0.20mgGAE/g respectively. The alloxan induced diabetic rats showed that the leaf, stem and root aqueous extract at 500mg/kg decreased significantly with fasting plasma glucose level by 66%, 65% and 58% (p<0.001) respectively on the 25 th day compared from day zero. It also showed decreased in the total cholesterol, triglycerides and restored the HDL level. The liver function test indicated no significance difference in ALT, AST and ALP.Thus, it is concluded that the Pereskia bleo possessed the antioxidant and antidiabetic activity attributed by the presence of apigenin 6 glucoside and chrysin.