Effect of Cassia auriculata Linn. on serum glucose level, glucose utilization by isolated rat hemidiaphragm

Abstract

An aqueous leaf extract of Cassia auriculata ( C. auriculata) was found to lower the serum glucose level in normal rats. Maximum reduction in serum glucose level was observed after 4 h at a dose levels of 100, 200, 400 mg/kg body weight of the extract. In normal rats the serum glucose level reduction at 4th h was 23% by 100 mg/kg body weight and 31% by 200 mg/kg body weight. In alloxan-induced diabetic rats, chronic administration of the extract significantly reduced the serum glucose level from third day to till the end of the experiment. The extract was also found to inhibit the body weight reduction induced by alloxan administration. Glucose uptake and glycogen deposition studies suggest that C. auriculata leaf extract probably has no direct insulin like effect which can enhance the peripheral utilization of glucose.