Antidiabetic effect of Symplocos cochinchinensis (Lour.) S. Moore. in type 2 diabetic rats

Aim

Symplocos cochinchinensis (Lour.) S. Moore. is used in Indian system of traditional medicine to treat diabetes mellitus. The present study aims to investigate the antidiabetic efficacy of the hexane extract of Symplocos cochinchinensis leaves in high fat diet-low streptozotocin (STZ) induced type 2 diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

The doses for the study were fixed based on Irwin test. The hypoglycemic effect of the hexane extract of Symplocos cochinchinensis leaves were studied in normal rats. Oral glucose and insulin tolerance tests were carried out. The antihyperglycemic effect of the hexane extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg was studied in high fat diet-low STZ induced type 2 diabetic rats for 28 days.

Results

The extracts showed no adverse effects up to 5 g/kg concentration. In hypoglycemic study, after treatment with hexane extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg the blood glucose was mildly reduced. In oral glucose tolerance test, the treatment with the hexane extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg showed a highly significant reduction of 12.07% and 23.58% in plasma glucose levels, respectively 30 min after glucose load. The insulin tolerance test also showed improved insulin sensitivity after 60 min of insulin treatment. In high fat diet-low STZ induced type 2 diabetic rats, after 28 days treatment with the hexane extract at 250 and 500 mg/kg reduced the plasma glucose level by 17.04% and 42.10%, respectively. A significant reduction in plasma insulin, plasma and hepatic total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and free fatty acids (FFA) and a significant increase in liver glycogen were observed in treated diabetic rats.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the potential antidiabetic property of hexane extract of Symplocos cochinchinensis leaves on type 2 diabetes mellitus, thus justifying its traditional usage.     

Antidiabetic activity of Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn. in alloxan induced diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn. (Poaceae) is traditionally used to treat diabetes mellitus. The grains of Paspalum scrobiculatum are having potential in the development of drug for diabetes due to their antidiabetic activity.

Aim of the study

To evaluate the antidiabetic activity of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of grains of Paspalum scrobiculatum Linn. (Poaceae) in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts (250 and 500 mg/kg body weight), were administered orally to male Wistar albino rats. Alloxan monohydrate was used to induce diabetes mellitus. Total phenolic content was estimated in the extracts. The parameters studied included oral glucose tolerance test, fasting blood glucose, serum insulin and glycated haemoglobin levels, liver glycogen content, serum lipid profile, and changes in body weights.

Results

In oral glucose tolerance test, reduction of fasting blood glucose levels took place from 60 min of extract administration. The extracts produced a dose-dependent fall in fasting blood glucose (FBG). After 15 days of treatment with extracts the maximum reduction in FBG (35.14%) was observed in diabetic rats treated with ethanolic extract 500 mg/kg dose. A significant increase in serum insulin level was observed in the treated rats. Serum lipid levels were reversed towards near normal and a control in the loss of body weight was observed in treated rats as compared to diabetic control. The extract treatment also showed a significant increase in the liver glycogen and a significant decrease in glycated haemoglobin levels. The results demonstrate that Paspalum scrobiculatum possesses significant antidiabetic activity in diabetic rats.

Conclusion

The results suggest that Paspalum scrobiculatum has antidiabetic activity, thereby justifying its traditional claim and augmenting it into the present day systems of medicine.     

Assessment of antidiabetic potential of Cynodon dactylon extract in streptozotocin diabetic rats

This study was undertaken to investigate the hypoglycemic and antidiabetic effect of single and repeated oral administration of the aqueous extract of Cynodon dactylon (Family: Poaceae) in normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats, respectively. The effect of repeated oral administration of aqueous extract on serum lipid profile in diabetic rats was also examined. A range of doses, viz. 250, 500 and 1000mg/kg bw of aqueous extract of Cynodon dactylon were evaluated and the dose of 500mg/kg was identified as the most effective dose. It lowers blood glucose level around 31% after 4h of administration in normal rats. The same dose of 500mg/kg produced a fall of 23% in blood glucose level within 1h during glucose tolerance test (GTT) of mild diabetic rats. This dose has almost similar effect as that of standard drug tolbutamide (250mg/kg bw). Severely diabetic rats were also treated daily with 500mg/kg bw for 14 days and a significant reduction of 59% was observed in fasting blood glucose level. A reduction in the urine sugar level and increase in body weight of severe diabetic rats were additional corroborating factors for its antidiabetic potential. Total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride (TG) levels were decreased by 35, 77 and 29%, respectively, in severely diabetic rats whereas, cardioprotective, high density lipoprotein (HDL) was increased by 18%. These results clearly indicate that aqueous extract of Cynodon dactylon has high antidiabetic potential along with significant hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects.     

Antidiabetic activity of Vatairea macrocarpa extract in rats

In the present paper the anti-diabetic effects of stem-bark extract (ethanol 70%) of Vatairea macrocarpa, a traditional diabetes mellitus treatment widely used in Brazil, are reported. The extract was administered orally at a dose of 250 or 500 mg/kg, for 22 days, to normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats. In extract treated (500 mg/kg) diabetic rats serum and urinary glucose, urinary urea, food and fluid intake were decreased, while body weight gain was increased, all of which indicate an improvement in diabetic state (p<0.05). No effects of the extract were observed in non-diabetic rats. In extract treated (500 mg/kg) diabetic group HOMA-R (homeostasis model for assessment of insulin resistance) was lower at the end of 22 days, as compared to diabetic non treated control group. Insulin was the reference substance used in the experiments. In an oral glucose tolerance test, the time to reach maximal glycemia was greater in diabetic 500 mg/kg treated group than in control group. These anti-diabetic effects could be related to an improved insulin resistance, although a possible effect on pancreatic B-cell function cannot be excluded. Thus, our data of sub-chronic experiments suggest that long-term use of V. macrocarpa stem-bark extract may be helpful in treating diabetic conditions.     

Antidiabetic effect of Ficus religiosa extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Aims of study

In Indian traditional system of medicine, Ficus religiosa (Family Moraceae) is prescribed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In the present study, the antidiabetic effect of aqueous extract of Ficus religiosa bark (FRAE) was investigated in normal, glucose-loaded hyperglycemic and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

Oral administration of FRAE at the doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg was studied in normal, glucose-loaded and STZ-diabetic rats.

Results

The three doses caused significant reduction in blood glucose levels in all the models. The effect was more pronounced in 50 and 100 mg/kg than 25 mg/kg. FRAE also showed significant increase in serum insulin, body weight and glycogen content in liver and skeletal muscle of STZ-induced diabetic rats while there was significant reduction in the levels of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol. FRAE also showed significant antilipidperoxidative effect in the pancreas of STZ-induced diabetic rats. The antidiabetic effect of Ficus religiosa was compared with glibenclamide, a well-known hypoglycemic drug.

Conclusion

The results indicate that aqueous extract of Ficus religiosa bark possesses significant antidiabetic activity.     

Effect of Salvia officinalis L. leaves on serum glucose and insulin in healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The leaves of sage (Salvia officinalis L., Lamiaceae) are reported to have a wide range of biological activities, such as anti-bacterial, fungistatic, virustatic, astringent, eupeptic and anti-hydrotic effects. To determine the hypoglycaemic effect of sage leaves, we investigated the effects of essential oil and methanolic effect of the plant on healthy and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The animals were made diabetic using by streptozotocin (70 mg/kg, i.p.). The methanolic extract (100, 250, 400 and 500 mg/kg) and essential oil (0.042, 0.125, 0.2 and 0.4 ml/kg) were injected intraperitoneally. The control groups were administered water and sunflower oil as vehicles of methanolic extract and essential oil, respectively. Blood samples were obtained from retro-orbital sinus before administration and 1, 3 and 5 h after administrations. The serum glucose was measured by the enzymatic method of glucose oxidase. The results showed that the essential oil of sage did not change serum glucose, while the plant extract significantly decreased serum glucose in diabetic rats in 3 h without effect on insulin releasing from the pancreas but not in healthy rats. Also, the LD₅₀ of the methanolic extract is measured (4000 mg/kg, i.p.). The present data indicate that sage extract has hypoglycaemic effect on diabetic animals and the plant should be considered in future therapeutic researches.     

Scutellaria baicalensis enhances the anti-diabetic activity of metformin in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats

Oxidative stress is the root cause of diabetic macro- and microvascular complications. Biochemical and epidemiological studies indicate that current treatments for diabetes do not reduce risks of developing complications, suggesting their inability to alleviate the levels of oxidative stress. This study in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats was carried out to investigate the effect of combining the antidiabetic drug, metformin, with an ethanolic extract of Scutellaria baicalensis, a plant whose root is known for its radical scavenging activity. Three groups of STZ-induced diabetic rats were given the following treatments for 30 days: (1) metformin 500 mg/kg, (2) S. baicalensis 400 mg/kg, (3) metformin 500 mg/kg + S. baicalensis extract 400 mg/kg. In addition, vehicle-treated diabetic and nondiabetic controls were used in the experiment. The rats treated with S. baicalensis and metformin + S. baicalensis had elevated hepatic activities of the antioxidant enzymes--superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) compared to the vehicle- and metformin-treated diabetic groups (p < 0.05). Plasma and hepatic lipid peroxide concentrations in the herb-treated and herb + metformin-treated groups were also significantly reduced (p < 0.05). In addition, the combined treatment caused significant elevations of plasma and pancreatic insulin levels and reductions of plasma and hepatic triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol levels. The study thus showed that S. baicalensis enhanced the antidiabetic effect of metformin in STZ-induced diabetic rats by improving the antioxidant status. It also increased pancreatic insulin content as well as improved the lipid profile in these rats.     

Hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic activity of acetonic extract of Vernonia colorata leaves in normoglycaemic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats

The aqueous extract of Vernonia colorata (Willd.) Drake (Composeae) leaves is used by African traditional medicine practitioners as a remedy for the treatment of diabetes. Our previous studies have shown the hypoglycaemic activity of the aqueous extract of Vernonia colorata leaves (300 mg/kg, per os) in normoglycaemic rats. The aim of the present study was to investigate the hypoglycaemic and antidiabetic activity of acetonic and hexanic extracts of the leaves of Vernonia colorata in order to further discriminate the type of extract which provides a better antidiabetic activity. Experiments were performed in normoglycaemic and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. The acetonic extract of the leaves of Vernonia colorata (AELVC) (100 mg/kg, per os) induced a significant decrease of blood glucose in normoglycaemic rats. The glycaemia varied from 4.72+/-0.11 to 3.72+/-0.22 mmol/l (p<0.05, n=5) 3 h after AELVC administration per os. In contrast, the hexanic extract of the leaves of Vernonia colorata (HELVC) increased significantly the glycaemia in normoglycaemic rats. Like glibenclamide, AELVC has an antihyperglycaemic effect in oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. These results have shown that: (i) AELVC and HELVC have an opposite effect on basal blood glucose in normoglycaemic rats, suggesting that the mechanisms of action of both above-mentioned extracts are different; (ii) AELVC has also an antidiabetic activity in hyperglycaemic rat models.     

Anti-diabetic activity of methanol/methylene chloride stem bark extracts of Terminalia superba and Canarium schweinfurthii on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Stem bark extracts of Terminalia superba Engl. and Diels and Canarium schweinfurthii Engl. are used in Africa for the treatment of various ailments, including diabetes mellitus. The anti-diabetic effects of the methanol/methylene chloride extracts of the stem barks on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were evaluated on male rats. Through the subcutaneous route, diabetes was induced using 60 mg/mL of streptozotocin. After 2 days, the rats received, by gavage, 150 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg of extract daily for 14 days. At 300 mg/kg, the two extracts (Terminalia superba and Canarium schweinfurthii), significantly showed at least 67.1% and 69.9% reduction in blood glucose level, respectively, while insulin (three units) given subcutaneously and once daily, had 76.8% reduction compared to diabetic untreated control rats. Similarly, the weight gains were 6.6% and 4.9%, respectively, and were comparable to the normal rats, whereas, diabetic untreated rats lost 14.1% body weight. Still with the same dose, there was 68.5% and 58.5% (p < 0.001) significant decrease in food consumption and 79.7% and 64.0% (p < 0.001) in fluid intake by diabetic rats treated with the respective plant extracts. The insulin-treated rats showed 56.4% and 75.8% decrease in food and fluid intake compared to an augmentation for diabetic control rats, 43.0% and 383.8%, respectively, at the end of the second week of experimentation. These results showed that the plant extracts can reverse hyperglycemia, polyphagia and polydipsia provoked by streptozotocin, and thus, they have anti-diabetic properties.     

Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidaemic effect of alcoholic Syzigium cumini seeds in alloxan induced diabetic albino rats

Syzigium cumini, commonly known as 'jamun', is widely used in different parts of India for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The present study was designed to evaluate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidaemic effect of an alcoholic extract of Syzigium cumini seeds (JSEt) in alloxan diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (150 mg kg(-1) body weight). Oral administration of alcoholic JSEt to diabetic rats at a dose of 100 mg kg(-1) body weight resulted in a significant reduction in blood glucose and urine sugar and lipids in serum and tissues in alloxan diabetic rats. The extract also increases total haemoglobin. The extract brought back all the parameters to normal levels. The effect of alcoholic JSEt was similar to that of insulin. Thus, our investigation clearly shows that alcoholic JSEt has both antidiabetic and antihyperlipidaemic effects.     

太子参多糖对实验性糖尿病大鼠血糖及胰岛素的影响

目的:研究太子参多糖对实验性糖尿病大鼠血糖及胰岛素的影响。方法:采用链脲菌素诱导实验性糖尿病大鼠模型,检测糖耐量、空腹血糖及胰岛素阐述太子参多糖降血糖的作用及机制。结果:太子参多糖对实验性糖尿病大鼠能明显改善糖耐量,降低空腹血糖及提高胰岛素水平。结论:太子参多糖具有一定的降血糖作用。     

Hypoglycemic effect of Acosmium panamense bark on streptozotocin diabetic rats

The hypoglycemic effects of water and butanolic extracts prepared from the bark of Acosmium panamense (Fabaceae) were studied in diabetic rats (streptozotocin (STZ)-induced). Oral application of water extracts at doses of 20 and 200 mg/kg and of butanol extracts at doses of 20 and 100 mg/kg significantly lowered the plasma glucose levels in diabetic rats within 3 h. Glibenclamide was used as reference and showed similar hypoglycemic effect like the extracts.

Three structurally new compounds were isolated from the plant and shown to be the main constituents in both extracts.     

Antidiabetic and antioxidant activities of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. leaves in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

The leaves of Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. have been utilized traditionally for the cure of diabetes.

Aim of the study

The present study was aimed to assess the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of T. asiatica leaves in Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

The phytochemical screening, total phenolic content, HPLC analysis, acute toxicity study and oral glucose tolerance test were carried out. Glucose lowering effect of the hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol extracts of T. asiatica leaves was studied in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The antidiabetic and antioxidant activities were studied for the ethyl acetate extract. The effects of extracts on blood glucose, body weight, plasma insulin, total protein, liver glycogen, plasma enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP) and activities of SOD, CAT and GPx were analyzed.

Results

T. asiatica leaves ethyl acetate extract (TALEe) showed highly significant blood glucose lowering effect. Phytochemical evaluation of TALEe showed the presence of alkaloids, terpenoids, cumarins, flavonoids and phenolic compounds. The total phenolic content of TALEe was 126 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g extract. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of flindersine and ulopterol. Acute toxicity study of TALEe revealed no death or toxicity. The oral glucose tolerance test showed lowered area under curve (AUC_glucose) values in TALEe treated rats. After treatment with TALEe (250 and 500 mg/kg) for 28 days there was a significant decrease in blood glucose, plasma enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP) and significant increase in body weight, total protein, serum insulin and liver glycogen levels in treated diabetic rats. The activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, CAT and GPx were reversed to near normal in treated diabetic rats. Histopathology of pancreas in TALEe treated groups showed regeneration of β-cells.

Conclusion

The results of the experiments showed that TALEe exerted significant antidiabetic and antioxidant effects in STZ-induced diabetic rats justifying its traditional use.     

Antidiabetic effect of Cinnamomum cassia and Cinnamomum zeylanicum in vivo and in vitro

Rats were given Cinnamomum cassia bark or extracts from Cinnamomum cassia and zeylanicum to evaluate blood glucose and plasma insulin levels in rats under various conditions. The cassia extract was superior to the zeylanicum extract. The cassia extract was slightly more efficacious than the equivalent amount of Cassia bark. A decrease in blood glucose levels was observed in a glucose tolerance test (GTT), whereas it was not obvious in rats that were not challenged by a glucose load. The elevation in plasma insulin was direct since a stimulatory in vitro effect of insulin release from INS-1 cells (an insulin secreting cell line) was observed. Thus the cassia extract has a direct antidiabetic potency.     

Antidiabetic activity of Boerhaavia diffusa L.: effect on hepatic key enzymes in experimental diabetes

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of daily oral administration of aqueous solution of Boerhaavia diffusa L. leaf extract (BLEt) (200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks on blood glucose concentration and hepatic enzymes in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. A significant decrease in blood glucose and significant increase in plasma insulin levels were observed in normal and diabetic rats treated with BLEt. Treatment with BLEt resulted in a significant reduction of glycosylated haemoglobin and an increase in total haemoglobin level. The activities of the hepatic enzymes such as hexokinase was significantly increased and glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase were significantly decreased by the administration of BLEt in normal and diabetic rats. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also performed in the same groups, in which there was a significant improvement in glucose tolerance in rats treated with BLEt. A comparison was made between the action of BLEt and antidiabetic drug-glibenclamide (600 microg/kg). The effect of BLEt was more prominent when compared to glibenclamide.     

Antidiabetic activity of standardized extract of Quassia amara in nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a standardized methanol extract of Quassia amara L. (Family: Simaroubaceae) in nicotinamide–streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats. Non insulin dependent diabetes mellitus was induced by streptozotocin in rats pre‐treated with nicotinamide. Diabetic rats were treated with oral doses of Quassia amara extract (QaE; 100 and 200 mg/kg) or glibenclamide (10 mg/kg; as standard). QaE and glibenclamide were administered as a suspension in 0.3% carboxy methyl cellulose for 14 days. Control animals received an equal volume of vehicle. Blood samples were collected by retro‐orbital puncture on day 14, 1 h after last treatment. Plasma glucose, insulin and lipid parameters (total cholesterol, LDL‐C, HDL‐C and triglycerides) were measured using commercially available biochemical kits. The oral glucose tolerance test was performed to evaluate the effect of the extract on peripheral glucose utilization in normal rats. Both doses of QaE significantly (p < 0.01) reduced elevated fasting blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. In the oral glucose tolerance test, QaE treatment significantly increased (p < 0.05) the glucose tolerance compared with the vehicle. QaE and glibenclamide, effectively normalized dyslipidemia associated with streptozotocin‐induced diabetes. The findings of the present study indicate that Quassia amara extract may be potentially valuable in the treatment of diabetes and associated dyslipidemia. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antidiabetic effects of malonyl ginsenosides from Panax ginseng on type 2 diabetic rats induced by high-fat diet and streptozotocin

Ethnopharmacology relevance

Ginseng (Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) has been recorded to treat ‘Xiao-ke’ (emaciation and thirst) symptom in many ancient Chinese medical literatures (such as ‘Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing’) for thousands of years. ‘Xiao-ke’ symptom, in general, indicates diabetes mellitus.

Aim of the study

Malonyl ginsenosides (MGR) are natural ginsenosides which exist in both fresh and air-dried ginseng. The objective of this study is to determine the antidiabetic function of MGR on type 2 diabetes.

Materials and methods

High fat diet-fed and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were treated with 50 and 100 mg/kg/d of MGR or vehicle for 3 weeks. The effects of MGR on fasting blood glucose (FBG), intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), serum insulin (SI), insulin tolerance test (ITT), body weight, total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TG) levels in type 2 diabetic rats were measured.

Results

After 3 weeks of treatment, MGR administration showed significantly lower FBG levels compared to the diabetic control group. In glucose tolerance test, IPGTT data showed that both MGR 50 and 100 mg/kg groups significantly increased the glucose disposal after glucose load. The ITT also showed improvement of insulin sensitivity during 120 min of insulin treatment. In addition, MGR reduced TG and TC contents while showed no effect on body weight in diabetic rats.

Conclusion

The findings from this study suggest that MGR can alleviate hyperglycemia, hyperlipemia and insulin resistance of type 2 diabetes.     

Antidiabetic activity of Ficus amplissima Smith. bark extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Ficus amplissima commonly known as kal-itchchi have a long history of use in Ayurveda, Siddha and Unani herbal preparations in Indian traditional system of medicine. It has been used in folklore medicine for the treatment of diabetes.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of methanolic extract of the bark of Ficus amplissima (FAB) in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and methods

Oral administration of FAB bark at the doses of 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg was studied in normal, glucose-loaded and STZ—induced diabetic rats.

Results

The three doses caused significant reduction in blood glucose levels in all the models. The effect was more pronounced in 50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg than 150 mg/kg. FAB also showed significant increase in serum insulin and body weight. The glycogen content in liver, skeletal muscle, total protein contents were markedly increased and marker enzymes of hepatic function of STZ-induced diabetic rats while there was significant reduction in the levels of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol. FAB also showed significant anti-lipid peroxidative effect in the pancreas of STZ-induced diabetic rats. The anti-diabetic effect of FAB was compared with glibenclamide, a well known hypoglycemic drug. Histological analysis showed the regenerative effect of FAB on the β-cells of diabetic rats.

Conclusion

Results of this experimental study indicated that FAB possessed anti-diabetic and antioxidant activities. Hence it could be used as a natural source of antidiabetic (Type-I) and antioxidant drug.     

The antidiabetic activity of total lignan from Fructus Arctii against alloxan-induced diabetes in mice and rats

The antidiabetic activity of the total lignan from the plant Fructus Arctii, used in China for the control of diabetes, was investigated in models of alloxan-induced diabetic mice and hyperglycemic-hyperlipidemic diabetic rats. The biochemical parameters studied were: blood glucose, glucose tolerance, serum insulin, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL). Total lignan was given to mice and rats daily for 10 days at doses of 2.0, 1.0, 0.5 g/kg and 1.38, 0.69, 0.35 g/kg respectively. The alloxan-diabetic animals showed significant reductions in plasma glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol after treatment with the total lignan from the plant Fructus Arctii and glibenclamide (used as standard) compared with the diabetic controls, while the glucose tolerance, serum insulin level and HDL-cholesterol were elevated without the risk of hypoglycemia. In conclusion, the total lignan from the plant Fructus Arctii has been proven to be a safer antidiabetic agent and might help to prevent diabetic complications. It can serve as a good adjuvant in the present armamentarium of antidiabetic drugs.     

Effect of Cassia auriculata Linn. on serum glucose level,glucose utilization by isolated rat hemidiaphragm

An aqueous leaf extract of Cassia auriculata (C. auriculata) was found to lower the serum glucose level in normal rats. Maximum reduction in serum glucose level was observed after 4 h at a dose levels of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract. In normal rats the serum glucose level reduction at 4th h was 23% by 100 mg/kg body weight and 31% by 200 mg/kg body weight. In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, chronic administration of the extract significantly reduced the serum glucose level from third day to till the end of the experiment. The extract was also found to inhibit the body weight reduction induced by alloxan administration. Glucose uptake and glycogen deposition studies suggest that C. auriculata leaf extract probably has no direct insulin like effect which can enhance the peripheral utilization of glucose.