Statistical evaluation of biological activity of plant based products: Anti-diabetic screening

Abstract

In classical approach of drug discovery involving medicinal plants, large number of extracts are prepared by using different parts of plants and solvents. The biological activity of these extracts are assessed using some standard test system. Extracts which are found active are fractionated to get different fractions. These fractions are assessed using the suitable test system. Fractions which are found active are processed further to get pure compounds, which are again tested for bioactivity. At every stage (extracts, fractions and pure compounds), lot of test data is generated. Statisticians play an Important role in evaluating such 4ata to get promising compounds. If the activity of any compound is over- estimated, then chances of it getting dropped at preclinical or clinical level will be higher, and if under-estimated and not pursued further, we may loose a good drug. Depending upon the disease and observations of response, a suitable method is applied to ascertain the significantly active compounds. For example, to get a lead against diabetes one has to select a suitable animal model such as rat, mice, etc. N number of animals are considered in two groups. Both group animals are loaded with glucose. One randomly taken group is administered the compound under test, while the other one remains untreated and acts as control. The serum glucose level of the animals is measured at different predecided time points.