Dhasarathan P and Theriappan P
In the present study, the anti-diabetic activity of Strychonous potatorum was evaluated. In Wister albino rat, the diabetic state was induced by intraperitonial injection of alloxan at a dose of 100mg/kg of body weight. Animal fasting blood glucose levels were evaluated and above 200mg/dl were considered as diabetic and used to screen the anti diabetic effect of Strychonous potatorum. Animals were grouped into normal rat (Control), diabetic rat (alloxan), diabetic but extract treated rat, only extract treated rat and diabetic but standard anti-diabetic drug tolbutamide treated rat groups. Animals were screened for the parameters such as body weight, blood glucose level, total proteins, cholesterol and enzyme levels such as AST, ALT and ALP for deducing the anti-diabetic activity of the test plant. The alloxan treated rat shows reduced body (26%) and liver (40%) weight. The plant extract plays a role in maintaining the liver weight as in case of normal but no much contribution towards body weight. The blood glucose level falls by 53% with extract treatment, demonstrating the anti-diabetic potential of the plant. The serum enzymes AST and ALT were increased 24 IU/1, 18 IU/1 from 60 IU/1, 65 IU/1 respectively whereas ALP was decreased to 5 IU/1 from 14 IU/1. The total serum protein level also increased up to 5 mg/ml in the extract treated animal. The insulin level also increased up to 61 µg /ml within 30 days of extract treatment compared to control with 51µg/ml. The plant extract efficiently decreased the initial cholesterol 219µg/ml level into 170µg/ml. In liver, the AST, ALT and ALP enzymes were decreased to 160 IU/1, 60 IU/1, 140 IU/1 from 178 IU/ml, 79 IU/ml and 156 IU/ml respectively.
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