Computation of In Vivo Antidiabetic Activity of Holarrhena Antidysenterica Seeds Extracts in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Medicinal plants have curative properties due to the presence of various complex chemical compositions, which are found as secondary plant metabolites in one or more parts of the plant. The aim of this study was to compute the antidiabetic activity of Holarrhena antidysenterica   seeds extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The experimental protocol designed as animals were divided into six groups (n=6) as control, diabetic control, Glibenclamide, methanol extract (MEHAD), petroleum ether extract (PEHAD) and aqueous extract (AEHAD). Except control group, other remaining groups were treated with streptozotocin (STZ) (35 mg/kg body weight) by single i.v. injection to induce diabetes. The diabetic rats were treated with the glibenclamide, MEHAD (250 mg/kg body weight), PEHAD (250 mg/kg body weight) and AEHAD (250 mg/kg body weight) for 18 days.  The fasting plasma glucose level, body weight, fasting serum glucose level, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, total protein, blood urea, urine glucose and liver glycogen levels were determined. The diabetic rats treated with MEHAD, PEHAD and AEHAD showed significant reduction in fasting serum glucose, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, total protein, blood urea, urine glucose and protection from the loss of body weight and increase in liver glycogen content during the treatment period. These effects were comparable to those seen in the glibenclamide-treated group of rats. This suggests that the Holarrhena antidysenterica seed extracts posses antidiabetic activity and further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanism of action and to know the active principles involved in producing the effect.