title: Barringtonia acutangula improves the biochemical parameters in diabetic rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was aimed at evaluating the anti-diabetic activity of the ethanol and aqueous extracts of the leaf material of Barringtonia acutangula in a diabetic animal model.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ethanolic and aqueous extracts (250 and 500 mg·kg(-1) body weight) of the leaves of B. acutangula were assessed for antidiabetic activity in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes animal model following 21 days of treatment. Glibenclamide (0.6 mg·kg(-1) p.o.) was used as a positive control. The hematological parameters, such as blood glucose level, urea, creatinin, cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C levels were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An acute toxicity study (5 000 mg·kg(-1), p.o.) did not produce any symptoms of toxicity. Significant reductions in blood glucose level, and serum total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were noted in animals treated with the extract. The high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLC) level was found to increase as compared with the diabetic control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that the leaf aqueous and ethanolic extracts of B. acutangula have anti-diabetic effects. The aqueous extract of B. acutangula produced a similar effect when compared with the ethanol extract. It is proposed that consumption of B. acutangula in some form like tea may help the management of diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, India; Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environment and Biological Sciences (CITAB), Department of Biology, University of Minho, Portugal. Electronic address: marslingregory@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Marslin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gregory
authors.affiliation: Consorzio Mario Negri Sud, Department of Translational Pharmacology, Santa Maria Imbaro, Italy.
authors.forename: Vinoth Kumar Megraj
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Khandelwal
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Science, A.J. College of Nursing, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.
authors.forename: Revina Ann
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Mary
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, India.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Kalaichelvan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Annamalai University, Chidambaram, India; Padmavathi College of Pharmacy and Research Institute, Periyanahalli, Dharmapuri, Tamilnadu, India. Electronic address: pharma.palani@gmail.com.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Palanivel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D031382:Barringtonia; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018515:Plant Leaves; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D008055:Lipids; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol
keywords: Anti-diabetic activity; Aqueous extract; Barringtonia acutangula; Ethanolic extract