ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF DIOSPYROS PEREGRINA FRUITS AGAINST TYPE II DIABETIC RATS.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate scientifically the oral hypoglycemic effect of Diospyros peregrina fruits against neonatal Streptozotocin induced type II diabetic rats. The fruits were extracted successively from petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and methanol. The resultant extracts were administered orally at doses of 50 mg/kg b.w. for five consecutive days to type II diabetic rats. Fasting blood glucose levels were estimated on day 0, 1, 3 and 5. Hepatic and renal antioxidant markers namely superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, hydroperoxide, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances profiles; serum lipids and liver glycogen level were estimated after the animals were sacrificed on day 5. The test results were statistically compared with respect to diabetic control group. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited significant hypoglycemic activity (p <0.01) in term of reduction of fasting blood glucose level while other extracts did not display significant effect. The ethyl acetate fraction was also found to revert back significantly the hepatic and renal antioxidant markers levels of diabetic rats near to the normal status. Ethyl acetate extract significantly reduced serum cholesterol (p <0.01) and triglycerides (p <0.01) level whilst improvement of liver glycogen (p <0.01) level was observed. The results were comparable to that of Glibenclamide (1 mg/kg, b. w.) treated group. In this investigation the antioxidant effect of ethyl acetate fraction may ameliorate the antidiabetic effect. The said fraction is flavonoids enriched, which are known phytoantioxidants thus the activity may be due to flavonoids present in the said extract. Acknowledgements: Jadavpur University, India.