ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF SEMECARPUS ANACARDIUM (LINN.) STEM BARKS IN NORMAL AND ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The present study was designed to evaluate antidiabetic effects of ethanolic extract of Semecarpus anacardium (SA) stem barks in normal and alloxan induced diabetes rats. The antidiabetic effect of extract was evaluated investigated by measuring fasting blood glucose level and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in normal and alloxan induced diabetes animal models. Here metformin (150 mg/kg) was used as reference drugs for comparison. The extract significantly (P<0.05) reduced blood sugar level in alloxan induced diabetic (hyperglycaemic) and glucose induced hyperglycemic (normo-hyperglycaemic) rats when given orally at doses of  200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight respectively. The glucose tolerance results showed the ethanolic extract significantly improved 55% and 68% at the dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight (b. wt.) whereas metformin showed 80% of that. The phytochemical screening of the plant S. anacardium stem bark showed the presence of steroids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins and tannins.  However a glucose tolerance hypoglycemic test is comparable to diabetic control group and effect is a dose dependent. The findings of this experimental animal study indicate that S. anacardium stem-bark ethanolic extract possesses antidiabetic properties; and thus lend pharmacological credence to folkloric; ethnomedical uses of the plant in the treatment and/or management type 2 diabetes mellitus.