Anti-hyperglycemic effect of Scoparia dulcis in streptozotocin induced diabetes

Aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis could significantly reduce blood sugar levels in white rats which had been previously induced with diabetes by streptozotocin. Extract was administered at doses of 125 and 250 mg/kg body weight/twice a day respectively for a period of 3 weeks. Diabetic rats had much reduced body weight than normal rats. Administration of the extracts at the dose of 250 mg/kg body wt. /twice a day resulted in a marked decrease in the levels of fasting blood glucose and urine sugar, with a concomitant increase in body weight. The extract also produced a significant decrease in peroxidation products, viz., thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Reduced glutathione and glycogen content, which had shown significant decrease following induction of diabetes, were found to be increased in the hepatic tissue of STZ-diabetic rats treated with the extract. Results suggest that aqueous extract of Scoparia dulcis can act as anti-hyperglycemic agent in STZ-diabetic rats.