Pharmacognostic and hypoglycemic studies of Achyranthus aspera L.

In the present study, the ethanolic extract of Achyranthus aspera L. Leaves (EEA) were investigated for their pharmacognostic characteristics and hypoglycemic effects. The pharmacognosy of the plant was carried out using microscopic and macroscopic tools. Macroscopic studies revealed that the leaves were cauline, ramel, opposite, exstipulate, simple, sub-sessile, ovate, entire, acute, unicostate, reticulate, rough, coriaceous and hairy. The stem was erect, herbaceous, quadrangular, branched, solid, green and pubescent, while various internal parts were observed using powder drug for microscopic study. The hypoglycemic effect of the plant was studied in healthy normoglycemic rabbits. The EEA was tested in three doses (100, 150 and 200 mg/kg), and a dose dependent hypoglycemic effect was observed. The most significant hypoglycemic effect was observed against higher dose (200 mg/kg) which remained for 5 h while the hypoglycemic effect remained significant for 3 h against the lower dose. It was concluded that EEA has hypoglycemic properties and it is recommended for the treatment of diabetes mellitus II.