EFFECT OF FRUIT EXTRACT OF ARTOCARPUS HETEROPHYLLUS IN ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The present study was aimed at evaluating the antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of fruits of Artocarpus heterophyllus (Moraceae) in alloxan induced type- II diabetes in rats. The diabetic rats were administered aqueous fruit extract (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o., n = 6) or vehicle (gum acacia solution) or standard drug glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg) for 15 days. Blood samples were collected by retro-orbital puncture and were analyzed for serum glucose on 0, 5, 10 and 15^th day by using glucose oxidase-peroxidase reactive strips and a glucometer. In oral glucose tolerance test, glucose (2gm/kg, p.o.) was administered to nondiabetic control, glibenclamide (10 mg/kg, p.o.) and extract treated rats. The serum glucose levels were analyzed at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min after drug administration. The effect of the extract on body weight of the diabetic rats was also observed. The serum insulin level and lipid profile were estimated. The extract showed significant reduction (p<0.05) of fasting blood glucose level in alloxan induced type- II diabetic rats on 10^th and 15^th days. In oral glucose tolerance test, the extract increased the glucose tolerance. It also showed an increase in the body weight of diabetic rats. Serum insulin levels were also increased in the treated group as compared to the control. The treated groups showed a decrease in total cholesterol and LDL levels and an increase in HDL levels.