In vitro callus and in vivo leaf extract of Gymnema sylvestre stimulate β-cells regeneration and anti-diabetic activity in Wistar rats

A methanol extract of Gymnema sylvestre leaf and callus showed anti-diabetic activities through regenerating beta-cells Optimum callus was developed under stress conditions of blue light with 2 4-D (1 5 mg/I) and KN (0 5 mg/l) which induced maximum biomass of green compact callus at 45 days as determined by growth curve analysis Leaf and optimum callus extracts contains gymnemic acid which was analyzed using TLC HPTLC and HPLC methods The research reported here deals with leaf and callus extracts of G sylvestre which significantly increase the weight of the whole body liver pancreas and liver glycogen content in alloxan-induced diabetic rats (Wistar rats) The gymnemic acid of leaf and callus extracts significantly increases the regeneration of beta-cells in treated rats when compared with the standard diabetic rats It could have potential as a pharmaceutical drug for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) (C) 2010 Elsevier GmbH All rights reserved