Hypoglycaemic effect of the traditional drink, the water extract of dried flowers of Aegle marmelos (L.) Correa (bael fruit) in Wistar rats

This study was designed to prove scientifically the medicinal benefits of a traditional drink. In this study the oral hypoglycaemic effect of the water extract of dried flowers of A. marmelos (L.)Correa (WEAM) was evaluated using Wistar rats. Healthy and alloxan-induced diabetic rats were kept on overnight fasting and they received the WEAM, drugs or distilled water, 30 min prior to glucose loading (3 gm/kg). Blood was collected after 2 hrs and serum glucose concentrations were determined by the glucose oxidase method. This procedure was repeated to determine the optimum dose and time, to evaluate the effect of the multiple doses and to compare the activity with reference drugs, Metformin and Glibenclemide. The extract gave statistically significant (p< 0.05) hypoglycaemic effect in both healthy and diabetic rats. The optimum activity was showed by 500 mg/kg at 2 hrs after the administration of glucose. The effectiveness of the WEAM was comparable with the reference drugs Metformin and Glibenclemide. The administration of the extract for a period of 42 days showed an increased hypoglycaemic (p < 0.01) effect and glycated haemoglobin level was reduced significantly (p < 0.01) in diabetic rats. The water extracts of dried flowers of Aegle marmelos posses a significant oral hypoglycaemic effect.