Phytochemical and In-vitro Antidiabetic Analysis of Ethanol extract of Solenostemon monostachyus Leaves

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterized by persistent elevation of blood glucose and is associated with various health complications. This study investigated the phytochemical composition and in-vitro antidiabetic activity of ethanol extract of Solenostemon monostachyus leaves. The leaves were collected and authenticated at the botanical garden of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri , Imo State, Nigeria. The leaves were air-dried at room temperature until completely dry, pulverized using a blender and sieved through a 0.25 mm mesh to obtain a uniform particle-size powder. Extraction was done  using ethanol by cold maceration. Qualitative phytochemical screening was carried out to determine the presence of selected secondary metabolites. The in-vitro antidiabetic activity of the extract was evaluated using α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition assays, with acarbose used as the reference standard. The phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, saponins and tannins, while alkaloids and flavonoids were not detected. The ethanol extract inhibited α-amylase at 40, 60 and 80 mg/mL, producing inhibition values of 31.44 ± 0.45%, 37.34 ± 0.76% and 42.30 ± 0.43%, respectively. For α-glucosidase, the extract produced inhibition values of 36.21 ± 0.27%, 34.16 ± 0.26% and 45.10 ± 0.66% at 40, 60 and 80 mg/mL, respectively. Acarbose produced higher inhibitory activity against both enzymes at the tested concentrations. The study demonstrates that ethanol extract of S. monostachyus leaves contains selected bioactive phytochemicals and possesses measurable in-vitro inhibitory activity against α-amylase and α-glucosidase.

Keywords: Phytochemical; antidiabetic; ethanol extract; Solenostemon monostachyus