EVALUATION OF ANTI-DIABETIC ACTIVITY OF ACHYRANTHES ASPERA IN ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

摘要

In the present study the anti-diabetic activity of A. aspera was evaluated. In Wister albino mice the diabetic state was induced by intraperitonial injection of alloxan at a dose of 100 mg/kg of body weight. Animals fasting blood glucose levels were evaluated and above 200 mg/dl were considered as diabetic and used to screen the anti diabetic effect of A. aspera. Animals were grouped into normal mice (Control), diabetic mice (alloxan), diabetic but extract treated mice, only extract treated mice anddiabetic but standard anti-diabetic drug tolbutamide treated mice 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 mice shows reduced body (26%) and liver (40%) weight. The plant extract plays role in maintaining the liver weight as in case of normal but no much contribution towards body weight. The blood glucose level falls by 48% with extract introduction, demonstrating the anti-diabetic potential of the plant. The serum enzymes AST and ALT were increased 30 IU/1, 20 IU/1 from 60 IU/1, 65 IU/1 respectively whereas ALP was decreased to 6 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 81 mu g /ml within 30 days of extract treatment compared to control with 51mu g/mL. The plant extract efficiently decreased the initial cholesterol 219 mu g/mL level intol51 ug/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.