Antihyperglycemic activity of root of Berberis aristata D.C. in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the antihyperglycemic activity of root of Berberis aristata D.C. in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Five groups of albino Wistar rats were used (n = 6). The two dose of 71.42 and 100 mg/kg body weight ethanol extract of B. aristata were selected for antidiabetic activity. Blood glucose levels were estimated in all the groups by the commercial kit (Span diagnostic Pvt. Ltd, Surat) on 1st, 5th, 10th and 20th day of the treatment with B. aristata. The serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, liver glycogen and body weight were estimated on 20th day of treatment in all the groups compared against diabetic control group. The different extracts of root of B. aristata were also tested for glucose tolerance test in normal fasted rats. The ethanol extract of root of B. aristata 71.42 and 100 mg/kg body weight showed a significant (P<0.01) reduction of serum glucose level in alloxan induced diabetic rats at 15th day as compared to diabetic control group. Cholesterol and triglycerides level were increased very significantly (P<0.01), in diabetic animal when compared with normal control group. The level of cholesterol and triglycerides reduced very significantly (P<0.01), when compared with diabetic control group. The level of HDL cholesterol was significantly (P<0.05) increased in the extract treated group when compared to diabetic control group. In oral glucose tolerance test ethanol extract of B. aristata increase the glucose tolerance. It is concluded that the ethanol extract of B. aristata possess anti-diabetic activity in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The ethanol extract of B. aristata is very promising to develop standardized phytomedicine for diabetes mellitus. Key words: Berberis aristata, Indian berbery, daruharidra, alloxan-induced diabetes