ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF CALOTROPIS GIGANTEA WHITE FLOWER EXTRACTS IN ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Calotropis gigantea white (Asclepiadaceae) has been documented as a traditional treatment of diabetes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of chloroform and ethyl acetate extracts from the flower in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Blood samples were obtained and blood glucose levels were analyzed employing a glucometer at different time intervals on 1st, 4th, 8th and 12th day of the treatment with C. gigantea white extracts compare to glibenclamide (10 mg / kg). From the results, it is revealed that the test chloroform, and ethyl acetate extracts at a dose level 500 mg / kg, showed a significant reduction in blood sugar level day in a progressive manner comparable to glibenclamide. Biochemical parameters, including hemoglobin, urea, creatinine, serum cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were also assessed. Treatment of diabetic rats with the two extracts of this plant restored the elevated biochemical parameters significantly (p<0.05) to the normal level. It also proves the traditional claim with regard to C. gigantea white for its anti-diabetic activity.Keywords: Calotropis gigantea white flowers, antidiabetic activity, alloxan, lipid profile