Abstract

Proximate nutrient composition and antinutrient analysis of Catharanthus roseus (Sadabahar) leaves explore their hypoglycemic potential

Author(s): Shailza Choudhary, Gita Bisla, Vijeta Chaudhary

Diabetesmellitus can be found in almost everypopulationintheworld.SincetheAyurvedic practice started in India, plants are being used in the cure of diseases.Although theCatharanthus roseus have been used for their alleged health benefits and avail their hypoglycemic effect, used asmedicine bydiabetics.This workwas carried out to determine the proximate nutrient composition ofCatharanthus roseus (Sadabahar) leaves.The results fromthe proximate analysis indicate that theplant containedsome importantnutrients suchas carbohydrate46.02± 0.01%, lipid 19.68 ± 0.01%, crude protein 7.05 ± 0.01%, crude fibre 1.04 ± 0.02% and hadCaloric value of 369.37±0.02 kcal. The mineral el-ement analyzedwereCalcium(Ca) 232.90 ± 0.01mg/ kg, Iron (Fe) 154.39 ± 0.02mg/kg. The anti-nutrient analysis revealedthat the plant contained 0.89±0.03mg/ 100g,hydrocyanicacid,10.39±0.01mg/100g soluble oxalate and239± 1.4mg/100g total oxalates, while phytate and tannins had a value of 0.06 ± 0.02mg/100g and 0.04±0.02 mg/100 g respectively. Vitamins analysis showed the presence of vitaminC(ascorbic acid) 0.73 ± 0.04mg/100g.