Intra-specific Variability in Anti-Diabetic Activity and UPLC Quantification of Oleanolic Acid from Two Morphotypes and Three Cytotypes of Achyranthes aspera

Abstract Achyranthes aspera is an economically important medicinal plant, exhibiting a wide range of cytomorphological diversity. Taking into account, its pharmacological activities, as well as variability, found within the species, the present attempt was made to study the detailed meiotic course in 13 plant samples collected from different areas of North India. The anti-diabetic activity of three different cytotypes (diploid, tetraploid, and hexaploid) and two different morphotypes (obovate-leaf morphotype and ovate-leaf morphotype) was investigated in alloxan-induced Swiss albino male rats. Additionally, phytochemical analysis of aerial parts of these cytotypes and morphotypes was performed using the UPLC technique. The meiotic analysis depicts the presence of three cytotypes with 2n=14, 28, and 42. The results indicated that the diploid cytotype of A. aspera has maximum activity against diabetes in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Out of the two morphotypes, the obovate-leaf morphotype showed a potent anti-diabetic effect as compared to the ovate-leaf morphotype. UPLC results showed that the maximum percentage of active component oleanolic acid was present in diploid cytotype followed by tetraploid and hexaploid cytotypes. A comparative study of the two morphotypes within the tetraploid cytotype revealed that the obovate-leaf morphotype possessed a higher percentage of oleanolic acid as compared to the ovate-leaf morphotype. Graphical abstract