title: Anti-diabetic and anti-cholesterolemic activity of methanol extracts of three species of Amaranthus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the anti-diabetic and anti-cholesterolemic activity of methanol extracts of leaves of Amaranthus caudatus, Amaranthus spinosus and Amaranthus viridis in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the anti-diabetic and anti-cholesterolemic activity of methanol extracts of leaves of all three plants was evaluated by using normal and STZ induced diabetic rats at a dose of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg p.o. daily for 21 days. Blood glucose levels and body weight were monitored at specific intervals, and different biochemical parameters, serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein were also assessed in the experimental animals. Histology of pancreas was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was found that all the three plants at 400 mg/kg dose showed significant anti-diabetic and anti-cholesterolemic activity (P<0.01), while at 200 mg/kg dose less significant anti-diabetic activity (P<0.05) was observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Methanol extracts of Amaranthus caudatus, Amaranthus spinosus and Amaranthus viridis showed significant anti-diabetic and anti-cholesterolemic activity, which provides the scientific proof for their traditional claims.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacognosy, PES College of Pharmacy, Bangalore-560050, Karnataka, India.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Girija
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lakshman
authors.forename: Chandrika
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Udaya
authors.forename: Sachi Ghosh
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Sabhya
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Divya
mesh_terms: D027721:Amaranthus / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000097:blood; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; C075197:high density lipoprotein binding protein; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Amaranthus caudatus; Amaranthus spinosus; Amaranthus viridis; Anti-cholesterolemic activity; Anti-diabetic activity; Biochemical parameter; Methanol extract