Trichosanthes dioica mediated biochemical alterations in STZ induced diabetic rats

In continuation of our previous work on Trichosanthes dioica [1,2] the present communication deals with the potential antidiabetic and hepatoprotective effect of aqueous extract of Trichosanthes dioica fruit in streptozotocin (STZ) induced hyperglycemia. The intra peritoneum injection of STZ administered produced marked elevation in the fasting blood glucose (FBG), postprandial glucose (PPG), asparate amino transferase (AST), alkaline amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALKP), creatanine (CRTN), total protein (TPR), body weight (bw), urine sugar (US), and urine protein (UP). Daily oral administration of aqueous extract of T. dioica fruits suspended in distilled water at 1000mg/kg dose produced a healing treatment and also normalized the aforesaid biochemical parameters such as FBG & PPG (p<0.001), AST, ALT ALKP, CRTN (p<0.01), bw (p<0.5) and US, UP (p<0.001) significantly. Our study shows that the effect of T. dioica fruits could be used as antidiabetic as well as hepatoprotective agent in diabetes management. The study also fits in agreement with previously reported cholesterol and body weight lowering activity of T. dioica fruits [3].

References: 1. Rai, P.K. et al. (2008) Pharm Biol. 45: 360–365. 2. Rai, P.K. et al. (2008) Pharm Biol. (Accepted) 3. Sharmila, B.G. (2007)J Clin Diagnostic Res 1: 561–569