Original Research Manuscript ANTIDIABETIC EFFECT OF JATROPHA CURCAS L. LEAVES EXTRACT IN NORMAL AND ALLOXAN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Jatropha curcas (Euphorbiaceae) is a multipurpose plant with many attributes and considerable potential. Different parts of the jatropha curcas plant are employed in Indian traditional medicine for the treatment of several disorders. Our aim was to investigate the antihyperglycemic effect of 50 % ethanolic extract of leaves of jatropha curcas (JCE) in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of JCE at a dose of 250 and 500 mg kg-1 bw respectively showed potent antihyperglycemic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The LD50 determination was done in mice by OECD guidelines 423. The LD50 of the JCE was found to be 2500 mg/kg. At the end of treatment, reduction in blood glucose level in treated rats with dose 250 mg/kg was 219.5 116.5, (p< 0.001). and oral administration of 500 mg/kg of JCE on blood glucose level was found to be 237.0- 98.83, (p< 0.001). While in case of Glibenclamide 600µg/kg, the results was found to be 232.33 94.5 mg/dl, (p< 0.001). Our results indicate that JCE have prominent antidiabetic effect in experimental diabetes and can therefore be used as an alternative remedy for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications