Effect of Alpinia calcarata on glucose uptake in diabetic rats-an in vitro and in vivo model

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous metabolic disorders characterized by abnormally high levels of blood glucose The main objective of the present work is to study the effect of Alpinia calcarata on glucose uptake in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. METHODS The diabetes was induced by single dose of STZ (45 mg/kg) in citrate buffer, while the normal control group was given the vehicle (citrate buffer) only. After induction of diabetes, the diabetic animals were treated with ethanolic extract of Alpinia calcarata (200 mg/kg) and glibenclamide (2 mg/kg) for 30 days. Blood glucose estimation was performed every week of the study. At the end of study period, animals were sacrificed for biochemical studies. RESULTS Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats shows the altered levels of various biochemical profiles. Those levels were brought back to near normal upon treatment with ethanolic extract of Alpinia calcarata and standard drug glibanclamide. No significant changes were observed on treatment with plant extract alone group indicated that there are no toxic substances present in Alpinia calcarata. The antidiabetic activity of plant extract was also further confirmed by histopathological studies. The ethanolic extract of Alpinia calcarata shows significant inhibition of alpha glucosidase activity and also enhancing the glucose uptake in rat hemidiaphragm. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, the ethanolic extract of Alpinia calcarata ameliorates the condition associated with diabetes.