A novel Steroid1 from Elephantopus scaber L. an Ethnomedicinal plant with antidiabetic activity

Abstract

Acetone extract of Elephantopus scaber, an ethnomedicnal plant, reduced the blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats significantly. Acute toxicity studies revealed the non-toxic nature of the crude extract. Fractionation of the acetone extract yielded a new steroid, 28Nor-22(R)Witha 2,6,23-trienolide. Biological testing of the compound demonstrated a significant antidiabetic activity by reducing the elevated blood glucose levels and restoring the insulin levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. This compound can be a useful candidate to treat diabetes.

Keywords: Streptozotocin, Elephantopus scaber, Diabetes, Bioactivity, Fractionation, 28Nor-22(R)Witha 2,6,23-trienolide

a Department of Biotechnology, Holy Cross College, Tiruchirappalli 620 002, India

b Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai 600 034, India

c Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Madras, Chennai 600 025, India

Corresponding author. Tel.: +914428176843; fax: +914428175566.

1 Indian Patent application: 809/CHE/2007.

PII: S0944-7113(08)00107-4

doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2008.06.001

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