International Journal of Pharmaceutical Science Invention ISSN (Online): 2319 – 6718, ISSN (Print): 2319 – 670X www.ijpsi.org Volume 2 Issue 5 ‖ May 2013 ‖ PP.11-18 www.ijpsi.org 11 | P a g e Phytochemical and hypoglycaemic activity investigation of Costus pictus plants from Kerala and Tamilnadu Shiny C.T 1 *. Anuj Saxena 2 , Sharad Prakash Gupta 2 1 Department of Botany, St.Mary’s College, Tuticorin-628001, Tamilnadu,India, India 2 Department of Botany, Sacred Heart Degree College, Naipalapur P.O. Sitapur-261001, U.P., India. ABSTRACT: Costus pictus family Costaceae, a recently introduced plant from Mexico has shown its potential as herbal drug for diabetes. In the present study 24 extracts were prepared from three materials (rhizome, stem and leaf) of two regions (Kerala and Tamilnadu) using different solvents (hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water) and they were subjected to phytochemical screening, and checked the hypoglycaemic activity in glucose fed albino mice. The preliminary phytochemical screening indicated very much similarity in the presence of chemical constituents in all 24 extracts of three samples of two regions and the methanol extract (200mg/kg, 500mg/kg b.w.) of leaf were exhibited significant hypoglycaemic activity in glucose fed mice. The study suggests the large scale cultivation of C. pictus at varied geographical locations as the phytochemical profile is quite stable with environmental variables. Keywords: Costus pictus, hyperglycaemic, metformin, phytochemicals, TLC I. INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus is a disorder very well known and widespread all over the world. Diabetes is a growing health concern worldwide and now emerging as an epidemic world over. The management of diabetes is still a major challenge. Thus there is great demand for research on natural products with anti-diabetic properties [1]. India has emerged as the diabetic capital of the world [2]. Different types of oral hypoglycemic agents such as insulin, suphonylurea etc. are used for the treatment of this disease, but they cause side effects on continued use. There is a growing interest in phytomedicine because of their effectiveness, fewer side effects and low costs [3]. Traditional anti-diabetic plants might provide new oral anti-diabetic compounds, which can counter the high cost and poor availability of the current medicines for many rural populations in developing countries [4]. Costus pictus D. Don (Spiral ginger), commonly known as ‘insulin plant’ a member of Costaceae family and is used as a munching dietary supplement for the treatment of diabetes in Southern India [5]. The plant is a recent introduction from Mexico to Kerala. India has a very great variation in geographical, topographical, climatological, edaphic conditions which leads to a great diversity in biological wealth. Variation in agronomic conditions (plant species, cultivar, developmental stage, plant organ, plant competition, fertilization, pH), season, climatic factors, water availability, light (intensity, quality, duration) and CO 2 are known to significantly affect the phytochemical profile of plant [6]. The large scale cultivation of C. pictus in various parts of India may provide a herbal remedy at low cost to the people affected with diabetes. The popularity of this plant is reaching all over India and diabetic people have experienced the amazing antidiabetic effect of C. pictus leaves. It is very essential to cultivate C. pictus in various parts of India to alleviate the complications of diabetes by promoting its miraculous effect. But before recommending for large scale cultivation, the multi location field trials for phytochemical constituents are essential. The present study is an initiative to evaluate the impact of geographical variables on phytochemicals and hypoglycaemic effect of the rhizome, stem and leaf samples cultivated at Kerala (Kannur) and Tamilnadu (Tuticorin). II. MATERIALS AND METHODS The plants were cultivated and identified by Dr. Santhosh Nampy, Department of Botany, St. Joseph’s College, Devagiri, University of Calicut and herbarium specimen has been submitted to Botany Department (Ref. No. SJC/BOT/RES-EXT/1/2012). Leaf, stem and rhizome portions of one year old C. pictus plants were separately harvested, (from Kannur and Tuticorin) washed, chopped and dried at room temperature. The well dried materials were ground into fine powder and kept in air tighter zip bags separately. 2.1. Phytochemical screening: Phytochemical screening was performed using appropriate procedures [7 - 9] involving extraction and separation of secondary metabolites.