Anti-diabetic activity of aqueous extract of <i>Cochlospermum planchonii</i> root in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Aqueous extract of Cochlospermum planchonii root was investigated for antidiabetic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Thirty albino rats (110.33 ± 8.69 g) were randomized into six groups (A-F) such that group A (non-diabetic) received orally 0.5 ml of distilled water, thrice daily for 10 days. Animals in groups B, C, D, E and F which were all made diabetic with alloxan (150 mg/kg b. w., i.p.) also received 0.5 ml of glibenclamide (2.5 mg/kg b. w., p.o.), 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg b. w., p.o. of the extract respectively. The blood glucose of the alloxanized rats after 48 hours which ranged from 20.50-30.20 mmol/L were significantly (P<0.05) and progressively reduced in the glibenclamide and extract treated animals. Restlessness, respiratory distress, diarrhoea and convulsion in the untreated diabetic rats were reduced in the extract and glibenclamide treated animals. The trace amount of blood ketones and urine sugar in the untreated diabetic rats disappeared in the other treatment groups except in the 25 mg/kg b. w. where there was less than 0.25% of urine sugar. The significantly elevated levels of serum albumin, creatinine, urea, total cholesterol, triacylglycerol, liver malate dehydrogenase activity as well as reduced weight of pancreas and liver glycogen content in the untreated diabetic rats were reverted back to their respective values in distilled water control animals by the extract and glibenclamide. Overall, this study indicates that the aqueous extract of Cochlospermum planchonii root possesses anti-hyperglycemic activity similar to the reference drug. The extract of Cochlospermum planchonii root is also effective in controlling some of the disorders of metabolism associated with diabetes.

Keywords: Alloxan, Cochlospermaceae, Cochlospermum planchonii, Diabetes, Metabolic disorders, Glibenclamide