ATTENUATION OF HYPERGLYCEMIA AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS BY AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF AVERRHOA BILIMBI LINN FRUITS

In the present study, the antidiabetic and antioxidant effect of aqueous extract of Averrhoa bilimbi Linn (ABAE) fruits were evaluated. Diabetes mellitus was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (40 mg/kg body weight). Oral administration of aqueous extract of Averrhoa bilimbi Linn (ABAE) (50mg/kg body weight) and metformin (100 mg/kg body weight) to diabetic rats for 60 days significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose, lipids and lipid peroxidation, but increased the activities of plasma insulin and antioxidant enzymes, like catalase, superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and glutathione peroxidase. The cytotoxicity of hepatic and renal tissue were ameliorated by treatment with aqueous extract of Averrhoa bilimbi Linn (ABAE) and metformin on histopathological examination. The Averrhoa bilimbi Linn (ABAE) aqueous fruit extract supplementation is useful in controlling the blood glucose level, improves the plasma insulin, lipid metabolism and is beneficial in preventing diabetic complications from lipid peroxidation and antioxidant systems in experimental diabetic rats; therefore, it could be useful for prevention or early treatment of diabetes mellitus.