ANTI-HYPERGLYCAEMIC EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS PREPARATION OF MEYNA SPINOSA ROXB. FRUIT IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The unripe fruit of Meyna spinosa / Laxiflora is used for the treatment of diabetes by traditional healers. The effect of the aqueous extract of the fruit is investigated on the normal and elevated blood glucose level of the experimental animal rats. The blood glucose level of the rats is elevated with the administration of I.P streptozotocin. The estimation of the blood glucose level is done by using a kit based on the glucose oxidase method. The rat has a blood glucose level above 280mg/dl is considered for the normal and anti-hyperglycemic study. The doses of the extract are selected as 200, 300mg/kg, and the route of administration is oral. The effect of the extract on the normal and elevated glucose level of the rat is compared with that of the standard drugs- glibenclamide and metformin. The effect of the extract on normal blood glucose level is not significant when compared with that of glibenclamide, whereas the effect of the extract on elevated blood glucose level is significant when compared with that of metformin. The dose of the extract 200mg/kg is not having any significant effect on the elevated blood glucose level. The dose of the extract 300mg per kg is administered daily for nine days, and the effectiveness of the extract 300mg per kg is observed two hours after the oral feeding of the extract on the 9^th day. The result shows that the extract seems to act as an anti- hyperglycaemic agent. Therefore, a detailed study for the definitive data evidence in respect of therapeutic utilization may be necessary.