Antidiabetic activity of Centella asiatica on streptozotocin induced diabetic male albino rats

Abstract

The present study has been under taken to investigate the various phytochemicals present in Centella asiatica leaves and also to investigate its anti-diabetic property.  In this study, rats were randomly divided into 6 groups containing 6 rats in each group. Group A and Group B served as positive (Normal) and negative (Diabetic) controls whereas Group C, D, E and F are the diabetic rats that are treated with methanol extract of Centella asiatica leaves (CALEt) at 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg /kg body weight (b.w) respectively. A marked raise in the fasting blood glucose level was observed in diabetic control rats (Group B) when compared to normal control rats (Group A). CALEt at 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg b.w exhibited dose dependent anti-hyperglycemic activity on 4^th 7^th and 10^th day of post treatment. The extract dose of 300 mg/kg b.w and 400mg/kg b.w caused the significant reduction in blood glucose. However the minimum dose of 300 mg/kg b.w was concluded as the effective dose against diabetes because it is the smallest dose with discernible useful effect or maximum dose beyond which no further beneficial effects is seen.