Anti‑diabetic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Ficus palmata Forsk leaves in streptozotocin‑induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Context: Ficus palmata Forsk, commonly known as wild fig (also known as bedu) is the member of genus Ficus of the family Moraceae. It has been used traditionally in various ailments including diabetes. Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate anti‑diabetic effect of Ficus palmata forsk leaves extract in normal, glucose‑loaded hyperglycaemic and streptozotocin (STZ)‑induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal administration of STZ (45 mg kg−1). The effect of oral administration of F. palmata at 50, 100 and 200 mg kg−1 was studied in normal, glucose‑loaded and STZ‑diabetic rats. Results: All three doses of F. palmata caused significant (P < 0.001) reduction in blood glucose levels. The effect was more pronounced at doses of 100 and 200 mg kg−1. F. palmata also showed significant (P < 0.001) increase in serum insulin, body weight and glycogen content in liver and skeletal muscle of STZ‑induced diabetic rats while there was significant reduction in the levels of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol. F. palmata also showed significant anti‑lipid peroxidative effect in the pancreas of STZ‑induced diabetic rats. Statistical Analysis: All values were expressed as mean ± SEM. Statistical analysis was performed by one‑way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s multiple comparison tests using GraphPad Prism 5. The results were considered statistically significant if P < 0.05. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study indicate that the hydroalcoholic extract of F. palmata leaves possesses significant anti‑diabetic activity associated with anti‑hyperlipidaemic and anti‑lipid peroxidative effects. Key words: Anti‑diabetic, anti‑hyperlipidemic, anti‑lipid peroxidative, diabetes mellitus, Ficus palmata