Evaluation of Boerhavia erecta L. for potential antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a fast-growing chronic metabolic disorder and a leading cause of death worldwide. Today herbal drugs are in great demand for the treatment of diabetes because of the adverse effects caused by allopathic drugs. In the present study, whole plant of Boerhavia erecta L. was evaluated for antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities in STZ-induced type 2 diabetic Wistar rats. An OGTT was performed on normal rats. B. erecta (200 and 400 mg/kg) was orally administered to diabetic rats for 28 days. The blood glucose levels were determined on 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days after oral administration of B. erecta (200 and 400 mg/kg) and standard drug (glibenclamide, 0.6 mg/kg). The extract's effect on body weight, plasma enzymes (SGOT, SGPT and ALP), total protein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, VLDL levels were also analysed. In OGTT, the treatment with B. erecta showed a highly significant (P ≤ .001) reduction in plasma glucose levels, 30 min after glucose load. On diabetic rats, the extract showed a significant (P ≤ .001) reduction in blood glucose, SGOT, SGPT, ALP, TC, LDL, VLDL, TG and a significant (P ≤ .001) increase in body weight, total protein and HDL levels. Histopathological studies also supported the antidiabetic effect of the extract. This study suggests that B. erecta possess significant antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activities. Keywords: Boerhavia erecta, Diabetes mellitus, Streptozotocin, OGTT