EVALUATION OF ANTI-DIABETIC ACTIVITY OF CORCHORUS TRILOCULARIS LEAVES IN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The leaves of Corchorus trilocularis possesses several bioactivities and is used in traditional medicinal systems. However, its anti-diabetic activity has not been scientifically investigated so far. The present study was carried out to evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of chloroform extract extract of Corchorus trilocularis (family:  Tiliaceae) leaves in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Chloroform extract showed presence of saponins, phytosterols, flavonoids, phenols, steroids and terpenoids. From  the  toxicity study  it  was  observed  that  chloroform extract  of  Corchorus trilocularis (CECT)  was  nontoxic up  to  the  dose  of  2000 mg/kg body weight. In this study, animals received continuous oral administration of CECT for a period of 21 days at the doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg body weight. The effect of CECT was compared with oral dose of 5mg/kg Glibenclamide. The  results  showed  that  the  CECT  significantly  lowered  the blood  sugar  level  of hyperglycemic rats in a dose dependent manner.  CECT   reduced  glycosylated  hemoglobin,  lactate  dehydrogenase  and creatinine  kinase  levels  in  streptozotocin  treated  animals. The extract also ameliorated oxidative stress Parameters -TBARS, catalase and superoxide dismutase activity and glutathione content. In conclusion, the chloroform extract of Corchorus trilocularis leaves showed a significant anti-diabetic activity in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats possibly  through  increased  secretion  of  insulin  and  the  effect  may  be attributed  to  the  presence  of  flavonoids  and  phenolic  compounds  present  in extract.