In-vivo and ex-vivo inhibition of intestinal glucose uptake: A scope for antihyperglycemia

ObjectiveTo study hypoglycemic effect of Phyllanthus amarus (P. amarus) leaf extract and its glucose uptake inhibition effect in rat small intestine ex-vivo and in vivo models.MethodsHypoglycemic studies were carried out in glucose loaded and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic albino rats. Blood glucose levels were estimated at I, III and IV hour time intervals after administration of aqueous leaf extract of P. amarus. The study on the effect of plant extract on intestinal glucose absorption in rat was carried out using everted gut sacs.ResultsThe blood glucose levels were significantly depleted in the animals administered with aqueous leaf extract of P. amarus (250 mg/kg body weight). Incubation of the rat everted intestinal sacs with the aqueous leaf extract of P. amarus resulted in the inhibition of glucose transport across the intestinal membrane.ConclusionsThe kinetic studies on the glucose transport inhibition across the intestinal membrane by the plant extract was a non competitive type of inhibition of the intestinal glucose transporter protein (GLUT2 and SGLT1) revealing the probable mechanism of hypoglycaemic effect of the aqueous leaf extract of P. amarus .