Effect of petroleum ether extract of Cedrus deodara on body weight in diabetic rats

Abstract

Background and Aim: Overweight and obesity are the strong risk factors for diabetes. The present study aims to find out whether petroleum ether extract of Cedrus deodara (PEECD) reduces body weight in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: A total of 36 rats (6 normal rats and 30 alloxan-induced diabetic rats) were included in the study and they were divided into six groups of six animals each. PEECD at three different doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 400 mg/kg was administered on 0 th , 7 th , 14 th , and 21 st days and then the body weight was estimated using a weighing machine. Statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA. Results: On the 14 th and 21 st days of PEECD administration at doses of both 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, the body weight decreased significantly ( P P st day of PEECD administration at a dose of 400 mg/kg. There was a statistically significant decrease ( P st day of administration of PEECD at a dose of 100 mg/kg. Conclusion: From the above findings, we conclude that PEECD is capable of reducing body weight in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Hence, further studies should be done to confirm the weight-reducing property of PEECD extract on diabetic rats so that it could be added to the list of traditional plants which are effective in reducing the body weight.