PHYTOCHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS, PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES, ANTI-HYPERGLYCEMIC, AND ANTIOXIDANT PROPERTIES OF AERIAL PARTS OF EUPHORBIA HIRTA

Euphorbia hirta is a medicinal plant with anti-diabetic and antioxidant properties. This study aimed to assess the phytochemical compositions, physicochemical properties, the antioxidant potential, and anti-hyperglycemic activity of E. hirta extracted using methanol, water, and chloroform with a Soxhlet apparatus. The values of physicochemical parameters were measured according to WHO guidelines while phytochemical screening identified the secondary metabolites. DPPH and FRAP assays were used to determine the antioxidant activity and anti-hyperglycemic activity of the OGTT system in Swiss albino mice. The physicochemical analyses of E. hirta indicate its quality and purity. Phytochemical studies revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, glycosides, phenols, carbohydrates, and proteins in the methanolic and water extracts, and the chloroform extract contained saponins, terpenoids, and steroids. The anti-hyperglycemic activity of methanolic extract showed a dose-dependent manner. At 400 mg/kg (p< 0.01), significantly reduced blood glucose is comparable to glibenclamide and also, at 200 and 100 mg/kg, it is statistically significant (p<0.05), indicating an insulin-unoriginal or insulin-sensitizing mechanism. Antioxidant activity of methanolic extract was observed. THE DPPH assay showed concentration-dependent radical scavenging activity exceeding ascorbic acid at higher concentrations (p<0.01). FRAP assay indicates a stronger ferric reducing capacity (p<0.001). The results that passed the statistical significance test indicate that E. hirta is an effective source of natural antioxidants that works with cure-reliance. In conclusion, the methanolic extract of E. hirta is a great anti-oxidant and anti-hyperglycemic source of natural remedial accouterments in the operation of oxidative stress-related and diabetic conditions.