Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research
Official Journal of Pharmacotherpy Group
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Effect of chronic administration of Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. leaf extract on experimental diabetes in rats 

Rao K. Nalamolu ¹, Krishna M. Boini ^2,3, Srinivas Nammi ^2,3F

¹Pharmacology Division, GITAM Dental College, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

²Pharmacology Division, Andhra University, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India

³Department of Physiology, University of Tübingen, D 72076 Tübingen, Germany

Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2004; 3(1): 305-309

Abstract  Full-Text

Purpose: The root and aerial parts of Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. (Nyctaginaceae) were used in Ayurveda for the treatment of diabetes. The present study is aimed at evaluating the antidiabetic activity of chloroform extract of Boerhaavia diffusa leaves on chronic administration in streptozotocin-induced non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) model diabetic rats.

Methods: The blood glucose lowering activity of the leaf extract was studied in streptozotocin-induced (65 mg/kg, i.v.) NIDDM model diabetic rats after oral administration of the extract at daily doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight for four weeks and compared with glibenclamide. Blood samples were collected from the tail vein before and also at weekly intervals for four weeks from the first dose of drug administration and blood glucose was analyzed by glucose-oxidase method using a visible spectrophotometer.

Results: The leaf extract of B. diffusa produced dose-dependent reduction in blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced NIDDM rats comparable to that of glibenclamide. The results indicate that the reduction in blood glucose produced by the extract is probably through rejuvenation of pancreatic b-cells or through extrapancreatic action.

Conclusion: The chloroform extract of Boerhaavia diffusa has significant antidiabetic activity and this supports the traditional usage of the plant by Ayurvedic physicians for the control of diabetes.

Key words:  Blood glucose, Boerhaavia diffusa, Diabetes mellitus Streptozotocin, Rats

To whom correspondence should be addressed: E-mail: nammi@rediffmail.com or krishnamurthyboini@yahoo.com