Biology and Medicine

Abstract

Antihyperglycemic, antioxidant and hypolipidemic effect of Capparis aphylla stem extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

KS Dangi, SN Mishra

Capparis aphylla, a xerophytic plant, has been used in traditional Indian medicine for treating diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The methanol extracts and active fraction from stem of C. aphylla administered to diabetic rats and blood glucose, antioxidant level, lipid, urea and creatinine level were assayed. The single oral dosing(300mg/kg b.wt) of methanol extract and active fraction(30mg/kg b.wt) from stem part of C. aphylla significantly reduced blood glucose levels in normal and diabetic rats (p<0.01) during oral glucose tolerance test. While total plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL and LDL levels were significantly (p<0.01) reduced, serum HDL was elevated by 116% after 7 days of active fraction oral administration in diabetic rats. Active fraction treatment lead to significant (p<0.01) increase in GSH and decreased MDA level in liver, heart and kidney of diabetic rat. Finding supported the traditional use of C. aphylla in the treatment of diabetes and cardiovascular disease.