Extraction, Fractionation and Evaluation of Antidiabetic Potential of Active Phytofractions from Torilis leptophylla in StreptozotocinInduced Diabetic Rats

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Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycaemia and associated oxidative stress, leading to severe microvascular and macrovascular complications.Despite the availability of various antidiabetic drugs, their long-term use is often limited by adverse effects and high treatment costs.Medicinal plants rich in bioactive phytoconstituents have emerged as promising alternatives for the management of diabetes.Torilis leptophylla (Apiaceae) is traditionally known for its diverse pharmacological properties; however, its antidiabetic potential remains inadequately explored.Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of Torilis leptophylla through extraction, phytochemical screening, fractionation, and biological assessment in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.Methods: Successive solvent extraction of Torilis leptophylla was performed using petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol, and water.The extracts were subjected to preliminary phytochemical screening and acute oral toxicity studies.Antidiabetic activity was evaluated in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by monitoring fasting blood glucose levels and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c).Antioxidant activity was assessed through estimation of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA).The most active extract was further fractionated using silica gel column chromatography, and the obtained fractions were analysed by thinlayer chromatography (TLC).Results: The ethanolic extract exhibited the highest extraction yield and demonstrated the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, and other bioactive constituents.Treatment with the ethanolic extract produced a significant reduction in blood glucose and HbA1c levels compared with diabetic control animals.The extract also restored antioxidant status by increasing SOD and GSH levels while reducing MDA concentrations.Fractionation of the active extract yielded multiple fractions, among which Fraction F3 exhibited the most pronounced antidiabetic activity.TLC analysis confirmed the presence of distinct phytochemical constituents in the active fraction.Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that Torilis leptophylla possesses significant antidiabetic and antioxidant activities, which may be attributed to its rich phytochemical composition.The identification of an active fraction further supports its potential as a promising source of natural antidiabetic agents and warrants further phytochemical isolation and clinical investigation.