Short term antidiabetic studies on alcoholic root extract of Pseudarthria vis-cida Linn.

Abstract

Pseudarthria viscida (L.) Wight and Arnott. (Leguminosae) commonly known as Salaparani and its roots are commonly used by the tribes of Madhya Pradesh. A short study was undertaken as a preliminary investigation to evaluate the antidiabetic effect of the alcoholic root extract by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), normoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activity in streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide induced non insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus rats. Graded doses (250 and 500 mg/kg) of the alcoholic root extract suspended in gum acacia were administered to normal and experimental diabetic rats. Effect on glucose tolerance test showed a significant fall in the blood glucose level of extract treated animals after 1 hr, indicating its hypoglycemic activity. Continuous blood glucose lowering activity was observed till 4 hr of administration in normoglycemic and diabetic rats. The results were compared with standard drug glibenclamide.