STUDIES ON THE EFFECT OF ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF ACHYRANTHES ASPERA L. ON ALLOXAN INDUCED WISTAR RATS

Objective: The present study was designed to investigate the effect of anti-diabetic activity of Achyranthes aspera on alloxan induced wistar rats.Methods: Diabetes was induced by administration of alloxan mono hydrate (150 mg/kg body weight i. p) to albino wistar rats. Diabetic rats were stabilized for four days and from fifth-day aqueous extract of A. aspera were administered at the dose of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for 45 days. Metformin 1 mg/kg was used as a standard. The effects of A. aspera and standard drug on following parameters was recorded-fasting blood glucose, glycogen, plasma insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin and protein were analyzed in blood samples. Glucose-6-phosphatase, Glucose-6 phosphate dehydrogenase, tissue protein, reduced glutathione, and lipid peroxide were estimated in liver tissues.Results: Our results collectively suggested that administration of aqueous extracts of A. aspera considerably lower the blood glucose level which was comparable to standard anti-diabetic drug metformin (1 mg). Also, the extract shows that considerable increase (p˂0.05) in glucokinase activity when compared to untreated diabetic rats. Lipid peroxidation and reduced glutathione (GSH) level were also studied and the A. aspera aqueous extract and metformin-treated groups shows that the significant (p˂0.05) reduction in lipid peroxide and marked elevation in reduced glutathione levels.Conclusion: Aqueous extract of A. aspera possess anti-diabetic action in alloxan induced diabetic rats