Evaluation of antidiabetic efficacy of Coccinia indica in rats.

摘要

The present study was aimed to assess the hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities of a common herb, Coccinia indica. The study was conducted in Sprague-Dawley strain of albino rats and the chemical, alloxan was used for the experimental induction of diabetes. Thirty two adult albino rats were divided into four groups of eight each. Group I served as normal control and group II was made as diabetic control. Group III and IV were made diabetic and administered orally with 200 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of C. indica leaves and 0.25 mg/kg of glibenclamide, respectively, for 45 days. There was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in blood glucose, serum cholesterol, triglyceride and lipid peroxides levels and elevation of reduced glutathione and liver glycogen in C. indica treated group when compared with the diabetic control. The results showed that the ethanolic extract of C. indica leaves possessed significant hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects. The ethanolic extract of C. indica leaves was screened for the active ingredients and also for acute oral toxicity and sub acute toxicity. No toxic effects were revealed from the toxicity studies. The results indicate the safety and efficacy of indica in diabetes mellitus.