Blood sugar reducing potentials and heamatological parameters of turmeric (<i>Curcuma longa</i> ) in alloxan-induced diabetic albino rat (<i>Rattus norvegicus</i> )

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder of glucose metabolism characterized by elevated blood sugar concentrations due to a loss of insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells (type 1 diabetes) or through loss of insulin responsiveness in its target tissues like adipose and muscle (type 2 diabetes). This study was undertaken to investigate the blood sugar reducing potential of turmeric. The duration of the study was 5 weeks and the experimental rats were fed standard rabbit pellet feed and water. Rats were grouped into 6 as follows: Group A - normal control, Group B - diabetic and not treated, Group C - standard control, and Group D – F were diabetic and treated with different doses of turmeric (0, 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) respectively. Data obtained were analyzed using One-way Analysis Variance (ANOVA). Oral administration of methanolic extract of turmeric led to a significant reduction in blood glucose levels and normalization of other haematological parameters. The extract helped stabilize blood sugar levels and made diabetes more manageable. Standard drug  (Glibenclamide) effectively treated the diabetic condition of the experimental rats .