Anti-diabetic Activity of Methanolic Extract of Chicory Roots in Streptozocin Induced Diabetic Rats

To study the antidiabetic activity of Chicory roots methanolic extract (MEC) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. MEC of root was subjected to preliminary qualitative phytochemical investigations by using standard procedures. The extract (400 mg/kg p.o.) was screened for antidiabetic activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats (30 mg/kg, i.p.). Acute oral toxicity study for the test extract of the plant root was carried out using OECD/OCED guideline 425. Phytochemical analysis of MEC of roots revealed the presence of inulin, sucrose, cellulose, protein, carbohydrates, lipids, alkaloids, glycosides and tannins compounds. In acute toxicity study, no toxic symptoms were observed for MEC up to dose 2000 mg/kg. Oral administration of MEC for 21 days exhibited highly significant (P < 0.01) hypoglycemic activity and also correction of altered biochemical parameters, namely cholesterol and triglycerides significantly (P < 0.05). Urine analysis on 1st day showed the presence of glucose and traces of ketone in the entire group except normal control group. However, on 21st day glucose and ketone traces were absent in MEC and glibenclamide-treated groups while they were present in diabetic control. The data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by Dunnett’s test. The observations confirm that methanolic extract of the root of the plant has antidiabetic activity and is also involved in correction of altered biological parameters. It also warrants further investigation to isolate and identify the hypoglycemic principles in this Chicory root so as to elucidate their mode of action.