Antidiabetic activity of aqueous root extract of Merremia tridentata (L.) Hall. f. in streptozotocin-induced-diabetic rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the antidiabetic effect of aqueous extract of Merremia tridentata (M. tridentata) root (MTRAE) in normal, glucose-loaded hyperglycemic and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.


METHODS
Oral administration of MTRAE at the doses of 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg was studied in normal, glucose-loaded and STZ-diabetic rats. The three doses caused significant reduction in blood glucose levels in all the models.


RESULTS
The effect was more pronounced in 100 and 150 mg/kg than 50 mg/kg. MTRAE also showed significant increase in serum insulin, body weight and glycogen content in liver and skeletal muscle of STZ-induced diabetic rats while there was significant reduction in the levels of serum triglyceride and total cholesterol. MTRAE also showed significant antilipidperoxidative effect in the pancreas of STZ-induced diabetic rats. The antidiabetic effect of M. tridentata was compared with glibenclamide, a well known hypoglycemic drug.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that aqueous extract of M. tridentata root possesses significant antidiabetic activity.
Bioprospecting Laboratory, Department of Botany, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.
Karuppusamy
K
Arunachalam
Thangaraj
T
Parimelazhagan
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D027722:Convolvulaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018517:Plant Roots; D051381:Rats; D013311:Streptozocin
D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D013311:Streptozocin