Physiochemical, Insecticidal and Antidiabetic activities of Senna occidentalis Linn Root

Abstract The present study aimed to investigate the physiochemical activities of Senna occidentalis (Linn) roots, phytochemicals as insecticidal (ethyl acetate and methanol) and antidiabetic (ethanolic extract) activities. Physicochemical properties were carried out by using Association of Official Analytical Chemists methods, thin layer chromatography was carried out according to the Stahl method. Larvicidal activity and LD50 were studied against third instar of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito larvae to detect, which extract is safe or toxic. The ethanolic extracts of the roots were orally tested at the dose 200 mg/kg for hypoglycemic effect on induced hyperglycemia in normal rats, assessed in the ethanol extract were compared with diabetic control and standards Glibenclamide 10mg/kg. Physiochemical parameters showed high parameters in nitrogen free extract (69.6%), curd fiber (14.5%), crude proteins (8.15%), ether extract (3.75%), and both Ash and moisture (2%), high concentrations values were found in potassium (43 mg/l) followed by phosphorous (28.5 mg/l), calcium (15 mg/l), sodium (3.65 mg/l) and magnesium. (0.145 mg/l) in this part beside phytochemical compounds showed high amount of alkaloids, triterpene, flavonoids, tannins, sugars, and few amount of Anthraquinone glycosides. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) studies different colored phytochemical constituted with different Rf values. All the spots are colored under UV light, but some are localized colorless after spaying. Ethyl acetate (EtAc) extract showed eight spots and methanol (MeOH) extract showed thirteen spots. The Larvicidal activity showed that ethyl acetate extract was safe against mosquito larvae with LD50 value 1412.54 (p<0.05) and methanol extract had moderate larvicidal activity against mosquito larvae with LD50 value 257.54 (p<0.05). While the ethanolic extract of Senna occidentalis (L.) cause a favorable hypoglycemic activity when compared to control significant reduction by [53.15%, 32.87% and 20.94%] respectively as while as standard Glibenclamide. Based on the various data of the physicochemical parameters, TLC spots and phytochemical compounds of Senna occidentalis root, they could be used as references standards for manufacturing units of Senna occidentalis root Larvicidal and antidiabetic drugs.