Anti-diabetic Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Holarrhena antidysenterica Linn Leaves

The anti-diabetic activity of ethanolic extract of Holarrhena antidysenterica leaves (EEHA) was evaluated against alloxan (100 mg/kg, i.p.) and streptozotocin (STZ) (50 mg/kg, i.p.) induced diabetes in Wistar rats. Oral glucose tolerance test was also performed. The effect was compared with antidiabetic activity of glibenclamide (5 mg/kg, p.o.). In alloxan and STZ induced hyperglycemic rats, a marked rise in blood glucose level was observed in diabetic control compared to normal control rats. The EEHA exhibited a significant dose dependent antihyperglycemic activity when compared with diabetic control. The effect of test extract on blood glucose level was seems to be less potent than reference standard glibenclamide. The results of the present study indicated that Holarrhena antidysenterica leaves extract possesses significant dose dependent anti-diabetic activity. Thus the traditional use of this plant in the treatment of diabetes mellitus might be validated by this investigation.