EFFECT OF CONVOLVULUS PLURICAULIS CHOIS. ON BLOOD GLUCOSE AND LIPID PROFILE IN STREPTOZOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Objective: To evaluate the hypoglycemic activity of ethanolic extracts, of Convolvulus pluricaulis in normal and streptozocin-induced diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods: Ethanolic extract of leaves of C. pluricaulis were orally tested at the dose of 400 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg & 800 mg/kg for hypoglycemic effect in normal and streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. In addition, changes in body weight, serum cholesterol, triglyceride and total protein levels, assessed in the ethanol extract-treated diabetic rats, were compared with diabetic control and normal animals.

Results: 800 mg/kg of C. pluricaulis produced a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose levels in the normal and streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. Apart from 400 mg/kg, 600 mg/kg showed activity from day 14. Significant differences were observed in serum lipid profiles (cholesterol and triglyceride), serum protein, and changes in body weight by 800 mg/kg treated-diabetic animals, when compared with the diabetic control and normal animals.

Conclusion: 800 mg/kg of C. pluricaulis exhibited significant antihyperglycemic activity in normal and streptozocin-induced diabetic rats. They also showed improvement in parameters like body weight and serum lipid profiles and so might be of value in diabetes treatment.