Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers rhizomes inhibitory potential against diabetes and free radicals

• Main Authors: Muhammad Abdur Rehman Shah, Rahmat Ali Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2021-02-01
• Series: Clinical Phytoscience
• Subjects: Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers; Antioxidant; Cytotoxic and anti-diabetic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40816-021-00259-3

Abstract Background Owing to the side effects of synthetic medicine and less effectiveness against different syndromes, the researchers have focused on phytotherapy to overcome these problems. The purpose of this project was to study the in vitro phytochemical, cytotoxic, total phenolic, antioxidant and antidiabetic activities of the methanol extract of the rhizome of Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers and its n-hexane, chloroform and aqueous fractions. Thereafter, to conduct in vivo evaluation of the effective extract for its antidiabetic and antioxidant characteristics. Methods Cytotoxic, total phenolic content and antidiabetic properties were ascertained by brine shrimps lethality, Folin- Ciocalteu reagent and alpha-amylase inhibition assays respectively while antioxidant activities were investigated through DPPH, ABTS and H2O2 assays. The methanolic extract was assessed in vivo for its antidiabetic and antioxidant activities by using Wistar albino rats. Results The phytochemical investigation of the methanolic extract and its unlike fractions revealed the availability of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids, carbohydrate and proteins while lack of saponins and gums in methanolic extract. Steroids and carbohydrates were only present in aqueous and chloroform fraction respectively while both fractions contained proteins and alkaloids. Cardiac glycosides and flavonoids were absent in aqueous and chloroform fractions respectively. The highest brine shrimps lethality (70.5 ± 1.2), total phenolic content (28.30 ± 1.3 mg GAE/g), free radicals scavenging potential i.e. DPPH (40.02%), ABTS (40.48%) and H2O2 (50.85%) and alpha amylase inhibition (61.87%) was shown by the methanolic extract. The in vivo results did not disclose any sign of acute toxicity. The diabetic control showed a noteworthy (P < 0.05) decline in weight, HDL and glutathione and a raised level of bilirubin, blood glucose, urea, creatinine, triglyceride, LDL, VLDL, ALT, ALP, AST, SOD, catalase. The mentioned alterations were restored considerably (P < 0.05) by treatment of diabetic rats with methanolic extract of Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers (150 and 300 mg/kg b.w.). Conclusion It is concluded that the extract of rhizomes of Sorghum halepense (L.) Pers is an effective fount of antioxidant and anti-diabetic compounds. Further analysis is needed to sharpen its pharmacological activities.