Anti diabetic activity of aqueous extracts of leaves and stem barks of Woodfordia fruticosa in animal model

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic potential of aqueous extract of leaves and stem barks of Woodfordia fruticosa in both normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. 200mg/kg alloxan was induced in albino rats by single intraperitoneal injection. Albino rats were divided into five group’s normal control, diabetic control, test groups and standard.  Aqueous extracts of leaves & stem barks of Woodfordia fruticosa at a dose of 200 mg/ kg were administered orally to test groups individually for antidiabetic activity. Glibenclamide (500 ug/kg) was taken as standard drug. Blood glucose level was determined on alloxan induced diabetic rats by one touch blood glucose monitoring system on 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hrs and body weight of diabetic rats were measured on 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12^th day. All aqueous extracts were observed significantly (P›0.05) suppress elevated blood glucose levels and increased body weight in diabetic rats. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed that phytoconstituents tannin, terpenoids, saponins and flavonoids are present in aqueous extracts of Woodfordia fruticosa leaves and barks. Antidiabetic property of Woodfordia fruticosa may be due to the presence of phytoconstituents saponins and flavonoids, which increased the sensitivity of insulin or stimulation of secretory cells of insulin and suppress the increased blood glucose level in alloxan, induced diabetic rats. The studies indicate that the aqueous extracts of leaves and stem barks of Woodfordia fruticosa exhibited statistically significant antidiabetic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats.