Hypoglycemic Activity Of <i>Polygala arvensis</i> In Normal And Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Albino rats were divided into groups (n=6) receiving different treatments consisting of vehicle, alcoholic extract of Polygala arvensis (PA) (1.25 g/Kg) and
standard antidiabetic drugs, glibenclamide (0.5 mg/Kg) and 0.24 units of insulin (0.62 ml of 0.40 units/ml). Blood glucose was estimated by the glucose oxidase method in both normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats before and 2h after the administration of drugs. The glycogen content of the liver, skeletal muscle, cardiac muscle and glucose uptake by isolated rat hemi-diaphragm were estimated. It showed significant reduction of blood glucose level both in the normal (P<0.01) and diabetic (P<0.001) rats. However, the reduction in the blood glucose level was less than that of the standard drug, glibenclamide. PA also increased the uptake of glucose by rat hemi-diaphragm significantly (P<0.001). There was a significant increase in the glycogen content of the liver (P<0.05), skeletal muscle (P<0.01) and cardiac muscle (P<0.001). It has significant hypoglycemic activity. Increased glycogenesis and enhanced peripheral uptake of glucose are the probable mechanisms involved in its hypoglycemic activity.

Keywords: Polygala arvensis, Polygalaceae, whole plant, rats, alloxan induced diabetic, hypoglycemic activity

Nigerian Journal of Natural Products and Medicine Vol. 11 2007 pp. 34-36