Effect of Cassia auriculata flowers on blood sugar levels, serum and tissue lipids in streptozotocin diabetic rats.

AIM OF THE STUDY The main aim was to demonstrate the effects of Cassia auriculata flowers on blood glucose and lipid levels in experimental diabetic rats. METHODOLOGY Aqueous extract of Cassia auriculata flowers was administered orally and different doses of the extract on blood glucose, haemoglobin, glycosylated haemoglobin, serum and tissue lipids, hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were studied. Glibenclamide was used as standard reference drug. RESULTS Cassia auriculata flower extract (CFEt), at doses of 0.15, 0.30 and 0.45 g/kg body weight for 30 days, suppressed the elevated blood glucose and lipid levels in diabetic rats. Cassia auriculata at 0.45 g/kg was found to be comparable to glibenclamide. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that the Cassia auriculata flowers possess antihyperlipidaemic effect in addition to antidiabetic activity.