Anti-diabetic potential and safety profiles of Tephrosia purpurea on streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetes in rats

Abstract

Background: Tephrosia purpurea was traditionally used for the management of diabetes mellitus. Since this claim has not been investigated scientifically, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of Tephrosia purpurea extracts against STZ-Nicotinamide induced diabetes in rat. Methods: This preclinical study was done to evaluate the anti-hyperglycaemic activity of whole plant extract of Tephrosia purpurea in STZ- Nicotinamide induced diabetic rats, which produced a significant difference in blood glucose, lipid profile, renal and liver profile in comparison to untreated rats. In this study, the animals were divided into five groups and diabetes was induced by administering STZ-Nicotinamide and animals with blood sugar level >200 were enrolled in the study. Further the animals are grouped into Group I control (0.1% CMC), Group II, diabetic control and Group III reference control received glibenclamide. Group IV and V, diabetic rats treated with Tephrosia purpurea extract 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg respectively. All the test drugs were administered for 30 days. Results: In diabetic rats, treated with 200 and 400 mg/kg of Tephrosia purpurea blood glucose level significantly lowered on 10th day (p<0.05) and 5th day (p<0.01) respectively as compared to untreated rats. At the end of 30th day there is significant reduction in blood glucose treated with TP 400 mg/kg (p<0.001). Safety assessment shows the protective effect of TP (400 mg/kg) on lipid profile TC, TG (p<0.001), HDL (p<0.001), LDL (p<0.001) and VLDL (p<0.01). It also shows protective activity against AST (p<0.001), ALT (p<0.01), ALP (p<0.001) and Renal functions BUN (p<0.001), Creatinine (p<0.001). Conclusion: The anti-hyperglycaemic activity of Tephrosia purpurea is brought out in the study by its significant reduction in the blood glucose level. The safety and efficacy is established based on the protective effect of Tephrosia purpurea in lipid profile, renal and hepatic function of diabetic rats.