Hypoglycemic Effect of Cleome Droserifolia Ethanolic Leaf Extract in Experimental Diabetes, and on Non-enzymatic Antioxidant, Glycogen, Thyroid Hormone and Insulin Levels

Cleome (C.) droserifolia has been mentioned in Egypt as a traditional medicine to be of value in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. The study was designed to examine the hypoglycemic effect C. droserifolia leaf ethanolic extract in normal (normoglycemic) and in alloxan-treated diabetic mice. At a dose of 0.31 g kg-1 i.p., C. droserifolia reduced the mean basal blood glucose concentrations of fasted normal mice by 6.8% on day 30 of the experiment. C. droserifolia significantly increased glycogen content by 48.2% as compared to diabetic group. Serum albumin alpha globulin and beta globulin concentrations were significantly decreased (by 30.7%, 30.9% and 70.3%, respectively) in diabetic group (p<0.001) as compared to control mice. Hepatic glutathione levels were significantly elevated in the treated group as compared to diabetic mice. Significant increases in the levels of T3 , T4 , and T3 / T4 ratio were observed following treatment with C. droserifolia (p<0.001). Insulin was significantly decreased (p<0.0001) in diabetic mice and increased upon treatment with C. droserifolia (p<0.01). Ethanolic extract not only exhibited antihyperglycemic properties but also reduced oxidative stress in alloxan-induced diabetic mice while enhancing insulin release. The major conclusions to be drawn from the present study are that the insulin level increase by C. droserifolia extract could be secondary to its antioxidant properties.