COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF STEVIA LEAF ( STEVIA REBAUDIANA BERTONI ) , METHI SEEDS ( TRIGONELLA FOENUM-GRAECUM ) AND GLIMEPIRIDE IN STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED RATS

Now-a-days medicinal plants are becoming popular for the treatment of various diseases all over the world and some of them are being used traditionally for the treatment of diabetes in human. The present study investigated the effects of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) leaf, methi (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seed in terms of their hypoglycemic activity compared to Glimepiride (Amaryl). Diabetes was induced experimentally in rats with Streptozotocin (STZ; 55 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). Stevia, methi, combination of stevia-methi extracts and Amaryl ® (glimepiride) tablet were orally administered daily at the rate of 100mg/kg, 500mg/kg, 500mg/kg and 800μg/kg respectively after 2 weeks of STZ injection for a period of 60 days. The combined stevia-methi extract showed potent hypoglycemic effect than stevia and methi alone, were assessed by oral glucose tolerance test and blood glucose measurement. STZ-induced body weight loss was improved in all groups except stevia treatment alone. In conclusion, Stevia and Methi extracts have hypoglycemic and body weight loss improving effects in STZ induced diabetic rats. Furthermore, combination therapy showed better effects. These results suggesting the possible use of the combination of Stevia leaves and Methi seeds aqueous extracts as antidiabetics in herbal medicine.