Antidiabetic Effect of Sauropus androgynus L. Leaves in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Mice

Green leafy vegetables are efficient ameliorator of oxidative stress associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the antidiabetic activity of Sauropus androgynus leaf extract (SALE) in alloxan induced diabetic mice. Oral administration of Sauropus androgynus leaf methanol extract (250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg) was studied in normal and alloxan induced diabetic mice for fifteen days. The parameters studied included oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum lipid profile, liver function test, antioxidant enzymes and liver glycogen content. In OGTT reduction of blood glucose levels took place from 60 min of extract administration. The extracts produced a dose dependent fall in FBG. After treatment with SALE there was significant reduction in the levels of serum lipid profile and liver function test level, decrease in lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and stimulated the glutathione (GSH) production in the liver and significant increase in the liver glycogen content was observed. The results demonstrate that SALE possesses significant antidiabetic activity in diabetic mice. The results suggest that SALE administration could be used as antidiabetic constituent in case of DM. This may be related to its anti-oxidative properties.