Anti-Hyperglycemic Activity of the Alcoholic Extract of Aralia cachemirica Decne Roots

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the anti-hyperglycemic activity of alcoholic extract of Aralia cachemirica Decne roots. Materials and methods: The alcoholic extract of Aralia cachemirica was tested for anti-hyperglycemic activity on normal fasted, glucose loaded and alloxan induced diabetic rats. Blood glucose levels were evaluated at 0,1 and 3 h in normal fasted rats at 0, 30 and 90 min in glucose loaded rats; at 0, 1 and 3 h in acute and at days 1, 3, 7 and 10 in sub-acute studies of alloxan induced diabetic rats after extract administration of 250 mg/kg. Results: In both acute and sub acute-studies the ethanolic extract showed statistically significant anti-hyperglycemic and an enhanced glucose tolerance activity while it had no effect on normal fasted rats. Conclusion: Aralia cachemirica posses statistically significant antihyperglycemic activity in both acute and sub-acute studies of alloxan induced diabetes and also has an enhanced glucose tolerance activity.