Evaluation of Anti diabetic activity of Cassia surattensis burm.F. Flower in Streptozotocin induced Diabetic rats

Abstract

Flowers of Cassia Surattensis Burm.f. (Piperaceae) possess several bioactivities and are used in traditional medicinal systems. However, its anti diabetic activity has not been scientifically investigated so far. The aim of this study therefore, was to investigate the anti diabetic activity of Cassia Surattensis flower. This was tested in normoglycaemic and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats using oral administration of hot water extract (HE) and ethanolic extract (EE). In normoglycaemic rats, both HE and EE significantly lowered the blood glucose level in a dose-dependent manner. In glucose tolerance test, both extracts markedly reduced the external glucose load. The anti diabetic activity of HE is comparable to that of EE. Both extracts were found to be non-toxic and well tolerated after following chronic oral administration (no overt signs of toxicity, hepatotoxicity or renotoxicity). It is concluded that HE and EE of Cassia Surattensis flower possess safe and strong anti diabetic activity and efficacy of both extracts was almost comparable to that of glybenclamide.