Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources Vol. 7(4), December 2016, pp. 282-286 Phytochemical profiling and effect of Andrographis echioides (L.) Nees leaf extract on glucose uptake by 3T3-L1 cell lines – An in vitro study Sindhu Sivalingam 1 , Sivakumar Kandhasamy 1* , Karthikeyan Vijayan 1 and Arumugam Perumal 2 1 Department of Biotechnology, Karpaga Vinayaga College of Engineering and Technology, Kancheepuram, 603308, Tamil Nadu, India 2 Armats Biotek Training and Research Institute, Guindy 600032, Tamil Nadu, India Received 03 February 2016; Revised 17 July 2016 The human population worldwide appears to be in the midst of an epidemic of diabetes, a metabolic disorder characterised by problems in carbohydrate metabolism. The existing synthetic drugs have several limitations such as, diabetic retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy. Thus, in spite of remarkable progress in the treatment of diabetes by oral hypoglycemic agents, search for newer drugs continues. Hence, in the present study, Andrographis echioides (L.) Nees was examined for its in vitro antidiabetic efficacy by amylase inhibition and glucose uptake by 3T3 cell lines assays. In addition, the bioactive components were analysed by GC-MS technique. The data obtained suggests that methanol extract of A. echioides was effective in enhancing glucose uptake by the 3T3 cell lines in vitro. The GC-MS profile revealed the presence of 5-ethyl-2-imino thiazolidin-4-one recorded at 15.95min. Literature survey has proved that thiazolidin-4-one derivatives have important biological activities and thus, the antidiabetic potential of A. echioides can be related to its presence. Further mechanistic studies could be taken up to prove the effect in vivo. Keywords: Amylase inhibition, Andrographis echioides (L.) Nees, Glucose uptake, GC-MS, 3T3 cell line. IPC code; Int. cl. (2015.01) -A61K 36/00 Introduction Andrographis echioides (L.) Nees (Family Acanthaceae) is a herb commonly known as false water willow and is found throughout India and Sri Lanka. The plant is reported to be used in the treatment of fever and snake bite (external application of leaf-paste) and also has antioxidant potential 1,2 . It has also been studied for its use in goitre, liver diseases, fertility problems, Malaria, and bacterial and fungal diseases 3,4 . In spite of its varying medicinal properties, the plant still remains unexplored for various potential applications like anticancer, antidiabetic, antiviral and anti-hyperlipidemic activities. Diabetes is a chronic disease, which occurs when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. This leads to an increased concentration of glucose in the blood (hyperglycemia). Type 1 diabetes (previously known as insulin-dependent or childhood- onset diabetes) is characterized by lack of insulin production. Type 2 diabetes (formerly called non- insulin dependent or adult-onset diabetes) is caused by the body’s ineffective use of insulin. Gestational diabetes is hyperglycaemia that is first recognized during pregnancy. In 2014, the global prevalence of diabetes as estimated by the World Health Organization, to be 9 % among adults aged above 18 years. There are basically 5 classes of oral antidiabetic drugs available for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, whereas insulin acts as a sole agent for type 1 diabetes. The major problem accompanying these indeed excellent antidiabetic agents is their side effects. Most common side effects observed are hypoglycemia and hypersensitivity (Sulfonylureas) 5 , Gastrointestinal symptoms (Biguanides and alpha glucosidase inhibitors) 6 , weight gain and oedema (Thiazolidinediones) 7 . Even insulin therapy does not restore a permanent normalised pattern of glucose homeostasis and carries an increased risk of atherogenesis and hypoglycemia 8 . Medicinal plants have the advantage of having no or only a few side effects and are being used in traditional systems of medicine for several decades in many countries of the world 9 . Thus, the present study is the first attempt to investigate the possible antidiabetic property of A. echioides. —————— *Correspondent author Email: ksivakumar76@gmail.com Mob.: 09444327232