Evaluation of Antidiabetic Activity of Cassia Glauca Lam. Leaf in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

The objective of the study was to investigate the antidiabetic action of aqueous extract of Cassia glauca leaf in different models of rats. The antidiabetic activity of aqueous extract of Cassia glauca leaf was evaluated by using normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. After the oral administration of aqueous extracts at doses of 500 mg/kg body weight, blood glucose levels and body weights were monitored at specific intervals. Glibenclamide was used as a reference drug at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg mg/kg. The various parameters studied included serum lipid levels, liver glycogen content, serum insulin level, urea creatinine, total hemoglobin and glycosylated hemoglobin in diabetic and normal rats. On oral administration of aqueous extract of Cassia glauca leaf at a dose of 500 mg/kg, normoglycemic rats did not show any significant effect on blood glucose levels, whereas aqueous extract showed statistically significant effect (p < 0.001) by reducing the effect of external glucose load. In chronic model of diabetic, aqueous extract of Cassia glauca leaf at a dose of 500 mg/kg and glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg) were administered for 21 days. At the end of treatment, there was significant increase in the body weight, liver glycogen, serum insulin level and the HDL cholesterol levels. There was a significant decrease in fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, total cholesterol and serum triglycerides. Our results suggest that Cassia glauca leaf have potent antidiabetic property, justifying the use of drug for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.