Biochemical studies on the effect of medicinal plants gymnema and andrographis species on diabetes induced wistar rats

Abstract

Diabetic mellitus was induced in adult wistar rats using the chemical compound streptozotocin which induces a type of diabetes which is similar to diabetes mellitus with non-ketosis hyperglycemia in some animal species. The changes in MDA (lipid peroxidation) and glucose (by GOD method) levels in blood of both normal and diabetic rat were analyzed. Diabetes induced rats were treated with leaf extracts of Gymnema sylvestre and Andrographis paniculata which are of medicinal importance. Later after inducing diabetes the rats were treated with medicinal plants, Andrographis paniculata and Gymnema sylvestre which are well known for their anti diabetic and antioxidative property in order to control the glucose and MDA levels. The blood plasma of diabetic and normal rats was analyzed for the levels of MDA (lipid peroxidation) and glucose levels. Our experimental results indicated that Gymnema sylvestre and Andrographis paniculata as a dietary supplement, possesses antidiabetic effect with hyperglycemia as the major target. These suggest that Gymnema sylvestre and Andrographis paniculata can be used as a potential natural antidiabetic agent for treating and postponing the appearance of complications that arise due to Diabetics. Further studies are in progress to isolate, identify and characterize the active principles.