Effect of ethyl acetate extract of Melothria perpusilla on intestinal absorption of glucose in albino rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a spectrum of conditions that includes hyperglycemia. Safety issues limit the optimal use of anti diabetic drugs. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the effect of ethyl acetate extract of Melothria perpusilla (EAEMP) on intestinal absorption of glucose in albino rats.Methods: Twenty four healthy albino rats were divided into four groups (control, standard, test I and test II) of six animals each weighing between 120-150g. Animals in control group were fed with 2% gum acacia, standard group with metformin 150mg/kg, test I with 250mg/kg of EAEMP and test II with 500mg/kg of EAEMP. After treatment for seven days, rats were fasted overnight. Intestinal loop of 10 cm from the pyloric end was prepared, keeping the blood supply intact under anaesthesia. One ml of 250mg% D-glucose in normal saline was injected in the lumen of loop. Rats were sacrificed and the loop was removed after 15minutes. Weight of excised loop was measured and fluid was recovered. The glucose absorbed was calculated by the difference between the amount introduced and recovered after the absorptive period. After dehydrating, the dry weight of the tissue segment was measured. Intestinal glucose absorption was expressed in mg/g dry weight tissue/h.Results: The non parametric data were analysed by Kruskal Wallis test. Ethyl acetate extract of Melothria perpusilla produced a significant reduction in intestinal glucose absorption when compared with control and standard.Conclusions: Treatment with Melothria perpusilla inhibits intestinal glucose absorption probably by inhibition of flavonoids on Na+-K+ATPase