Evaluation of anti-diabetic activity of Justicia adhatoda (Linn.) Leaves in diabetic wistar rats

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus is defined as the increase in blood glucose level resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action, or both. The present study was conducted to evaluate anti-diabetic activity of Justicia adhatoda (Linn.) leaves extract in diabetic Wistar rats. Justicia adhatoda, commonly known as vasaka is rich in phytochemicals like alkaloids, saponins, steroids, flavonoids and glycosides. It is used in asthma, jaundice, wound healing, typhus fever, cough, chronic bronchitis and inflamma- tory swellings treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS The extract was obtained by maceration process with the use of methanol as solvent. 30 Wistar rats of 150-250 gm were used taken as study animal. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of Alloxan 150 mg/kg body weight. The methan- olic extract of low dose (50 mg/kg) and high dose (100 mg/kg) were given orally for anti-diabetic activity. The standard drug glimepiride 0.5 mg/kg body weight was used. RESULTS The extract treated 50mg/kg and 100mg/kg showed significant p<0.01 reduction in blood glucose level while the standard 0.5 mg/kg showed less significant p<0.05. The standard and extract showed less significant p<0.05 body weight recovery in compar- ison to negative control group. The extract 50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg and standard showed significant p<0.01 improvement in food intake when compared to negative control group. The extract 100 mg/kg treatment showed significant p<0.01, highly significant p<0.001 improvement in water intake on 1st, 2nd and 3rd week respectively when compared to negative control group. CONCLUSION The present study concludes that the extract possesses potent and significant anti-diabetic activity of Justicia adhatoda leaves.