In vitro antidiabetic potential of Euphorbia hirta Linn.: A nutritionally significant plant

Euphorbia hirta is an ethno medicinally important plant of the family Euphorbiaceae. The leaves of the plant are consumed as a vegetable by tribal people. Traditionally, various parts of the plant are used to treat against worm infestations in babies, dysentery, gonorrhea, jaundice, digestive disorders, cancer, and diabetes. The root extract is used against vomiting, diarrhea, and also as snake anti-venom. In the present study, the nutritional quality of the leaves of the plant was assessed by the estimation of various nutritional and antinutritional components. The in vitro antidiabetic potential of the plant was determined by alpha-amylase inhibition assay. The results revealed that the leaves of this plant are nutritionally significant, and also the plant has substantial inhibitory activity on alpha-amylase.