Effect of Acacia nilotica leaves extract on hyperglycaemia, lipid profile and platelet aggregation in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND To consider new hypoglycaemic, anti-hyperlipidaemic and anti-platelet aggregation sources, aqueous methanol extract of Acacia Nilotica (AN) leaves was investigated in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. METHODS Diabetes mellitus was induced in 90 out of 120 male albino rats by administering 50 mg/Kg bodyweight (bw) streptozotocin intraperitonealy, and was confirmed by measuring fasting blood glucose level > 200 mg/dL on 4th post-induction day. The rats were equally divided into 4 groups, A (normal control), B (diabetic control), C (diabetics rats treated with plant extract) and group D (diabetics rats treated with glyburide). The rats of group C and D were given single dose of 300 mg/Kg bw, AN extract, and 900 microg/Kg bw glyburide respectively for 3 weeks. Blood glucose levels were measured by glucometer, platelet aggregation by DiaMed method, beta-thromboglobulin and insulin by ELISA technique, and lipid components were measured by enzymatic calorimetric method. RESULTS Significant differences (p < 0.05) were noticed in blood glucose, serum insulin, platelet aggregation and triglyceride levels in diabetic rats treated with AN extract and glyburide as compared to diabetic controlled rats. A significant difference (p < 0.05) in beta-thromboglobulin and LDL levels was also noticed in rats treated with glyburide than the diabetic controlled rats. The levels of fasting blood glucose, beta-thromboglobulin and platelet aggregation were significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in diabetic rats treated with glyburide than AN extract treated rats. CONCLUSIONS Administration of AN leaves extract showed hypoglycaemic and anti-platelet aggregation activity in diabetic rats as that of glyburide.