Antihyperglycemic activity of aqueous extract of leaves of Cocculus hirsutus (L.) Diels in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

Abstract

<b>Objective: </b> To evaluate the antihyperglycemic activity of aqueous extract of leaves of <i> Cocculus hirsutus</i> (L.) Diels in alloxan-induced diabetic mice.<b> Materials and Methods:</b> Alloxan-induced (70 mg/kg, i.v.) diabetic mice were given aqueous leaf extract (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg, p.o., <i> n=</i> 6) of <i> C. hirsutus</i> or vehicle (distilled water, 10 ml/kg, p.o.) or standard drug glyburide (10 mg/kg, p.o.) for 28 days. Blood samples were withdrawn by retro-orbital puncture and were analyzed for serum glucose on 0th, 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days by glucose oxidase/peroxidase method. In oral glucose tolerance test, glucose (2.5 g/kg, p.o.) was administered to nondiabetic control, glyburide (10 mg/kg, p.o.), and aqueous extract of <i> C. hirsutus</i> (1000 mg/kg, p.o.) treated mice. The serum glucose level was analyzed at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min after drug administration. <b> Results:</b> The aqueous leaf extract of <i> C. hirsutus</i> (250, 500, and 1000 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significant (<i> P<</i> 0.01) reduction of serum glucose level in alloxan-induced diabetic mice at 28th day. In oral glucose tolerance test, aqueous extract of <i> C. hirsutus</i> increased the glucose tolerance. <b> Conclusion:</b> It is concluded that <i> C. hirsutus</i> has significant antihyperglycemic activity as it lowers serum glucose level in diabetic mice and significantly increases glucose tolerance.