ANTI-DIABETIC AND HYPOLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ARISTOLOCHIA BRACTEOLATA ON STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RAT MODEL

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic activity of methanolic extract of whole plant of Aristolochia bracteolata (MEAB) against streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rat model. Glibenclamide was used as standard drug. The MEAB was administered orally at a dose of 200 & 400 mg/kg bd. wt and blood glucose levels were determined on 0^th, 7^th, 14^th, 21^st and 28^th day. MEAB was found to significantly reduce blood glucose levels in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Reduction in blood glucose levels were observed from 7^th day onwards, after continuous administration of the extract. The effect of MEAB on serum lipid profile like total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein (LDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) were also measured on 28^th day in the diabetic rats. There was significant reduction in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and improvement in HDL cholesterol in diabetic rats. The results indicated that Aristolochia bracteolata possesses significant anti-diabetic and hypolipidemic activity.