EVALUATION OF IN VIVO ANTIDIABETIC AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF ARTOCARPUS HIRSUTUS SEEDS IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

ABSTRACT
Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the antihyperglycemic activity and in vivo antioxidant effect of Artocarpus hirsutus seeds in both
normal and diabetic rats.
Methods: Male Wistar rats weighing about 180-250 g were divided into six groups, of six rats each. Diabetes was induced by giving streptozotocin
(30-50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. Rats, which showed blood glucose levels ≥250 mg/dl, were selected for the study. Metformin (50 mg/kg) was used 
as a standard oral hypoglycemic agent. Oral glucose tolerance test was performed in all groups of rats. In the estimation of in vivo antioxidant activity,
the levels of liver enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidation, and CAT (catalase) were measured using standard methods.
Results: The ethyl acetate seed extract of A. hirsutus at different doses was selected and administered orally. The blood glucose levels were estimated
by the glucose oxidase method, and insulin levels were measured by chemiluminescence assay method. Antihyperglycemic activity of the test drug
in diabetic rats showed a significant reduction in blood glucose levels (p<0.001) at 2, 4, 6, and 8 hrs, respectively, as compared to diabetic groups.
The antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT levels were significantly raised, whereas malondialdehyde-thiobarbituric acid residue substances levels have
decreased (p<0.001).
Conclusion: The results suggested that A. hirsutus seed extract showed a potential antidiabetic activity and antioxidant effect justifying the use of the
drug for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its associated oxidative damage.
Keywords: Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Artocarpus hirsutus, Streptozotocin.