Phytochemical and pharmacological evaluation of leaves of <i>Abutilon indicum</i>

79-83The leaves of Abutilon indicum Linn. were traditionally used to treat bronchitis, gonorrhoea, and as mouthwash in toothache, etc. However local practitioners have claimed that the leaves are highly useful in controlling diabetes mellitus. Hence the present study was planned to verify this claim and also to screen for the analgesic property. In addition, an attempt was made to identify the class of phytochemicals present in the leaves and also attribute the pharmacological property of the leaves to the particular type of phytochemicals. The results revealed that the leaves contain steroids, sapogenins, carbohydrates and flavonoids. It was also observed that different extracts have shown significant hypoglycaemic activity at 400 mg/kg dose, but aqueous extract was most potent in reducing the blood glucose levels. Similarly pet, ether extract and benzene extract were found to possess very good analgesic property. In addition all the extracts have shown CNS depressant activity. The results revealed that the use of leaves in controlling diabetes mellitus is justifiable. However present study failed to attribute this property to any class of the phytoconstituent present in the leaves.