ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF HYDROETHANOLIC LEAF EXTRACT OF GYMNEMA HIRSUTUM WIGHT & ARN IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The present study has investigated the hypoglycaemic effect of oral administration of 50% ethanolic leaf extract of G. hirsutum Wight & Arn in normal and Streptozotocin–induced diabetic rats.  Albino Wistar rats (190 to 220 gm) were induced  diabetic condition by administration of Streptozotocin (STZ) (55 mg/kg bw) intraperitoneally.  50% ethanolic extract of G. hirsutum Wight & Arn leaves (300 mg/kg bw /day) was orally administrated to normal and STZ–induced diabetic rats (150, 300 and 450 mg/kg bw /day) for 30 days to determine hypoglycaemic and antihyperglycaemic activity.  Serum and tissue biochemical analysis including fasting blood sugar level in normal and STZ–induced diabetic rats were investigated.  Oral administration of 50% ethanolic extract of G. hirsutum Wight & Arn leaves (300 and 450 mg/kg bw/day) for 30 days exhibited a significant (p<0.05) reduction in serum Glucose (88%), Total Cholesterol (80%), Triglycerides (76%),  HbA_1c  (75%) and in an oxidative stress.  The findings of investigation showed similar to those produced by Glibenclamide (GB) at dose of 600 mg/kg bw /day for 30days (positive control).  Histopathological observation showed significant improvement in the rats treated with G. hirsutum Weight & Arn leaf extract.  The results demonstrate that 50% ethanolic extract of G. hirsutum leaves possess potent antidiabetic activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats.  Alkaloids, Flavanoids, Phenols and Tannins present in this plant might be responsible for the effect.