Assessment of anti-diabetic activity of Cassia sophera (Caesalpiniaceae)

Purpose: To examine the ethnomedicinal claims regarding the antidiabetic uses of Cassia sophera L . (Caesalpiniaceae) using an alloxan-induced diabetes model. Methods: The methanol extracts of leaves (CSLM) and roots (CSRM) of C. sophera were evaluated for hypoglycemic and anti-diabetic activities in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Alloxan (120 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to induce diabetes in rats. A dose regime of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of CSLM and CSRM was given orally to the respective groups (n = 6). Blank group consisted of normal animals maintained on saline. The diabetic untreated group served as negative control while the group that received glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) was positive control. Results: A significant (p < 0.05) lowering of fasting blood glucose level FBG in oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in normal rats was observed after daily  administration of the extract for 7 days. Both extracts demonstrated decreased (p < 0.05) BGL with significantly (p < 0.05) improved glucose tolerance and body weight at the end of 4th, 7th and 14th day in extract-treated diabetic rats when compared with negative control and normal untreated group, respectively. In normoglycemic rats, CSLM and CSRM showed dose-dependent decrease in BGL. Conclusion : These results suggest that both extracts possess significant blood glucose lowering activity in normal as well as in diabetic rats. Keywords : Cassia sophera , Hypoglycemic activity, Anti-diabetic activity, Alloxan, Weight loss

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