Antidiabetic and anti-lipemic effects of Cassia siamea leaves extract in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Objective: To investigate the antidiabetic and anti-lipemic effects of Cassia siamea methanolic leaves extract. Methods: The antidiabetic study was performed by measuring blood glucose level with elegance glucometer at weekly intervals i.e. 0, 7, 14 and 21 in normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Total cholesterol, triglyceride and HDL-cholesterol were determined in normal and streptozotocin induces diabetic rats by autoanalyser. Glibenclamide was used as a reference drug at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Results: After the oral administration of extracts at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg for three weeks, blood glucose levels and body weights were significantly improved (P<0.01). Daily oral treatment with the extract also resulted in significantly reduction of serum cholesterol and triglycerides. HDL-cholesterol level was found to be improved to (P<0.01). Conclusions: The Cassia siamea leaf extract is useful in controlling blood glucose level as well as improving lipid metabolism and body weight in rats with induced diabetes.