Antidiabetic effect of Withania Somnifera Root in STZ induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Objective: To study the antidiabetic effect of Withania Somnifera root powder (WSR) in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes in rats were induced by injecting Streptozotocin intraperitoneally (45 mg/kg of body weight) to overnight fasting rats. Withania Somnifera root was given to group C (100 mg/ kg of body weight) and Pioglitazone to group D (20 mg/kg of body weight) orally for 4 weeks respectively. Blood glucose level, glycated Hb, insulin, protein tyrosine kinase activity and serum DPP-4 levels were measured. Results: Significant Improvement in body weight, glycemic profile, dyslipidemia and tyrosine kinase activity were observed in WSR treated rats at week 4 of the study compared to diabetic control rats. Blood glucose level, glycated Hb and Serum DPP4 levels, were also found to be decreased in WSR treated rats compared to diabetic control rats at the end of study. This is possibly due to augmented serum insulin levels and increased insulin sensitivity after treatment with WSR. Conclusion: The results from above study it was concluded that Withania Somnifera root powder has antidiabetic activity. Further study required to confirm the exact mechanism of action.