Antidiabetic Activity of Nyctanthes Arbortristis

The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the antidiabetic property of Nyctanthes arbortristis leaves and flowers chloroform extract. In the present study antidiabetic properties of Nyctanthes arbortristis we investigated by hypoglycemic effect, potentiation action of exogenous insulin, oral glucose tolerance test and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. The Nyctanthes arbortristis exerted hypoglycemic effect at relatively high dose 8 gm/kg of leaves and flowers chloroform extracts treated rats, significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01) lowered blood serum glucose levels, compared to 0 hrs. The maximum reduction in serum glucose levels observed at 5 hrs in flowers extract. The lower doses (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) tested for potentiation action of exogenous insulin, oral glucose tolerance, streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Oral glucose tolerance test was carried out in fasted rats by administering 2 gm/kg of glucose after administration of extract, the administration of extract significantly improved (P<0.05, P<0.01 P<0.001) compared to control (glucose 2 gm/kg) glucose tolerance test, which is comparable to glibenclamide 10 mg/kg treated group except 50 mg/kg of leaves extract. The potentiation action of exogenous Insulin was evaluated by administration of Insulin (1 unit/kg, i.p) after the administration of extract. The administration of extract in all dose significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01 P<0.001) potentiated exogenous action of Insulin, when compared to 0 hrs of treatment. The animals were made diabetic by streptozotocin (55 mg/kg, i.p) after confirming the diabetes level more than 300 mg/dl the chloroform extract from leaves and flower of Nyctanthes arbortristis (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) were used for 27 days in diabetic rats. The extract significantly (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001) lowered serum glucose levels in treated rats when compared with control (vehicle treated diabetics). The antidiabetic activities of the leaves and flowers chloroform extract were comparable to glibeclamide at 10 mg/kg orally (positive control). In contrast, the flower extract shown more significant at 27 day of treatment, without significantly influencing on other days may be due to handling errors. This study confirms the significant antidiabetic activity of Nyctanthes arbortristis in flowers than leaves.