Abstract

EVALUATION OF ANTIDIABETIC POTENTIAL OF MYRISTICA FRAGRANS (HOUTT) LEAVES EXTRACT

Karunakar Hegde*, Ihjas Habeeb M., Ayesha Nazeer

ABSTRACT

In the present study the antidiabetic potential of Myristica fragrans (Houtt) leaves extract (MFE) was investigated against Alloxan and Streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetes in rats. Acute toxicity study was performed and the extract was found to be safe at a dose of 2000 mg/kg bodyweight. For both the models, rats were divided into 5 groups with each group consisting of n=6 animals. Group I of both models received vehicle as normal control, Group II received Alloxan (100mg/kg, i.p.) or Streptozotocin (50 mg/kg, i.p.) depending upon the model as Diabetic control, Glibenclamide (5 mg/kg p.o.) served as standard in Group III, Group IV and Group V consisted of Diabetes induced animals treated with lower (200mg/kg, p.o.) and higher (400mg/kg, p.o.) doses of M. Fragrans extract for 30 days. Biochemical parameters like fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL were analysed. A histopathological study of pancreas was performed. Both the doses of M. fragrans leaves extract showed significant, dose- dependent anti-diabetic activities in both the models when compared with diabetic control. The result obtained was comparable with that of standard drug Glibenclamide. The histopathological study showed possible partial restoration of islets of Langerhans cells in M. fragrans extract treated group. The outcome of the present study provides the evidence that the leaf extract containing alkaloids, terpenoids and flavonoids may responsible for potential antidiabetic activity. In conclusion the results in the present study indicate that Myristica fragrans (Houtt) leaves extract was found to be effective against Alloxan and Streptozotocin induced diabetes.

Keywords: Alloxan, Antidiabetic, Diabetes, Myristica fragrans, Streptozotocin.