VIGNA UNGUICULATA LINN. WALP. SEED OIL EXHIBITING ANTIDIABETIC EFFECTS IN ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Antidiabetic effects of Vigna unguiculata Linn. Walp (barbati) seed oil was investigated in albino rats by administration of single dose of alloxan monohydrate [110 mg/kg body weight (b.wt)]. The seed oil of barbati at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg.b.wt was administered as single dose per day to diabetes-induced rats for a period of 21 days. The effect of oil on blood glucose level was measured in the diabetic rats. Serum lipid profile [total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), low density (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL)] and enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were also determined. The activities were also compared to that produced by a standard antidiabetic agent, glipizide. Levels of blood glucose, TC, TGs, LDL, ALT, AST and ALP decreased and HDL increased in alloxan induced diabetic rats after treatment with 200 mg/kg.b.wt barbati seed oil for 21 days. The present study reported that seed oil of barbati may be very useful for the improvement of the complications of diabetes.