Anti-Diabetic and Antioxidant Effects of Methanolic Flower Head Extract of Tagetes Patula in Streptozotocin and Dexamethasone Induced Diabetic Rats

Pharmaceutical Science-Pharmacology for drug discovery

Abstract

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by a high blood glucose concentration, i.e., hyperglycemia or caused by insulin deficiency, often combined with insulin resistance. In the Present study, the antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of Tagetes patula flower heads was screened out in rodent models. The pharmacological evaluation was carried out using 200 and 400 mg/kg, b.w. The in-vivo antidiabetic activity was performed in streptozotocin, dexamethasone- induced diabetic models and oral glucose tolerance test. Metformin hydrochloride was used as a standard. The parameters like blood glucose levels, insulin levels, homeostasis assessment of insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity, and fasting glucose-insulin ratio were estimated in these models. The in-vitro antioxidant activity of methanolic extract of Tagetes patula was performed by using hydroxyl radical scavenging assay and Ascorbic acid was used as a standard. The preliminary phytochemical screening of Tagetes patula revealed  the   presence  of  phytoconstituents  like   alkaloids,  flavonoids,  saponins,  steroids,  phenols,  carbohydrates, triterpenoids, and tannins. The extract showed a significant decrease in the elevated blood glucose levels in streptozotocin, dexamethasone-induced diabetic models, and also in the oral glucose tolerance test. The extract prevented insulin resistance and significantly  increased  insulin  sensitivity  in  the  dexamethasone-induced  model.  The  various  phytochemical  constituents  like alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, steroids, and phenols might be responsible for lowering the blood glucose levels in the animal models  mentioned  above.  The  extract showed significant  scavenging  activity  against  hydroxyl  free  radicals.  From  the  above outcomes, it is flawless that the methanolic extract of Tagetes patula has antidiabetic and antioxidant activities.