In vitro and in vivo anti-diabetic activity of Swertia kouitchensis extract

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Swertia kouitchensis has long been used as a folk medicine to treat hepatitis and diabetes in central-western China. Therefore, this study was aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of the plant ethanol extract. Materials and methods: Firstly, the extract was tested for its inhibitory activity on alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase in vitro. Following that, insulin secretion test in NIT-1cell was performed. Then, oral sucrose or starch tolerance test of the extract were carried out in normal mice. After that, acute effect of the extract was executed in normal and streptozotocin-induced (60 mg/kg) diabetic mice. Eventually, long term effect of the extract was performed in diabetic mice for 4 weeks. Oral glucose tolerance test and biochemical parameters were estimated at the end of the study. Results: Swertia kouitchensis extract could remarkably inhibit the activity of alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase and stimulate insulin secretion in vitro. And also the extract displayed anti-hyperglycemic activity, improved antioxidant capacity, ameliorated the hyperlipidemia and carbohydrate metabolism in diabetic mice. Conclusions: Swertia kouitchensis exhibits considerable anti-diabetic activity and metabolic alterations in diabetic mice. These results provide a rationale for the use of Swertia kouitchensis to treat diabetes mellitus. (c) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.