Abstract
Objective: The present study was aimed to investigate the antidiabetic activity of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum ovalifolium on alloxan induced diabetic rat model in rats.
 Methods: The leaves of Zanthoxylum ovalifolium were evaluated for antidiabetic activity by using alloxan induced diabetic model in diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of alloxan (100 mg/kg) and rats were treated orally with test extracts, standard drug (glibenclamide 5 mg/kg) and vehicle for 21 d. The hypoglycemic effects and lipid profile of diabetic rats were assessed using diagnostic kits. Finally, histopathological studies were carried out for pancreas.
 Results: The acute toxicity studies revealed at the dose of 2000 mg/kg (b. w) of Zanthoxylum ovalifolium for ethanol and aqueous extract were found to be safe. A significant reduction (p<0.001) in blood glucose was observed in diabetic rats treated with different doses of extracts compared to untreated diabetic rats. The drug possesses a good hyperlipidemic effect by normalizing the lipid parameters. This was evidenced by histopathological studies; both glibenclamide and 400 mg/kg of Ethanolic extract does appear to be regulated diabetes at the cellular level, resulting in the restoration of near normal architecture pancreatic islet of langerhans.
 Conclusion: It can be concluded from our research findings that ethanolic and aqueous extract of Zanthoxylum ovalifoliumat high dose (400 mg/kg) exhibited significant antihyperglycemic activity than extract at low dose (200 mg/kg) in alloxan induced diabetic rats. These extracts also showed improvement in parameters like lipid profile as well as regeneration β-cells in the pancreas and so might be of value in diabetes treatment.
Highlights
Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous metabolic disorder characterized by the common feature of chronic hyperglycemia with disturbance in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism [1]
In the present study 200 mg/kg (1/10th low dose) and 400 mg/kg (1/5th high dose) body weight doses were selected for the antidiabetic study
Alloxan causes a massive reduction in insulin release by the destruction of βcells the islets of langerhans, thereby inducing hyperglycemia
Summary
Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous metabolic disorder characterized by the common feature of chronic hyperglycemia with disturbance in carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism [1]. It defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both [2]. Patients continue to suffer from the several adverse effects of these synthetic drugs due to which, to explore a for new herbal drug is going on and concerted efforts are being made to develop suitable alternative effective remedies for diabetes [6, 7]. There is a growing interest in herbal remedies that are apparently efficient, produce minimal side effects, and are rich sources of antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant agents such as flavonoids, tannins and other related polyphenols [8]
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