Effect of various extracts of Desmodium gangeticum on Streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type-2 diabetes

The antidiabetic effect of various extracts of Desmodium gangeticum (D. gangeticum) was evaluated on normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide induced type-2 diabetic animals. Type-2 diabetes was induced in Wistar albino rats of either sex by the administration of STZ-nicotinamide (40, 110 mg/kg b.w., respectively) intraperitoneally. D. gangeticum (100 mg/kg b.w.) extracts in different solvents (viz. pet. ether, benzene, chloroform, acetone, ethanol and water) were administered to diabetic rats for 21 days. The effect of extracts on blood glucose, lipid profile (TC, TG, LDL-C and HDL-C) and body weight was studied in diabetic rats. D. gangeticum extracts significantly reduced the elevated blood glucose, TC, TG, LDL-C level. Reduced HDL-C level and body weight in diabetic animals were found to be elevated significantly by the D.gangeticum extracts. But among all the extracts aqueous extract exhibited the best antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic activity and positive effect on weight of diabetic rats. The results of our study suggest that the aqueous extract of D.gangeticum possesses a promising effect on STZ-nicotinamideinduced type-2 diabetes.