An Assessment of Anti-Diabetic Potential of Ethanolic Extract of Gymnema lactiferum in Alloxan Induced Rat Model

Abstract

Endocrinological disease Diabetes mellitus has become a wide spread disease nowadays. To ameliorate diabetes many synthetic drugs are available but those drugs possess numerous adverse effects. Medicinal plants are a rich source of medications. Plant extracts, like those from Gymnema lactiferum, can be utilized as an alternate means of treating hyperglycemia.  This study investigated the effects of Gymnema lactiferum extract on alloxan induced diabetic rats. In comparison to the group that did not receive Gymnema lactiferum extract treatment, rat in the Gymnema lactiferum extract administration groups demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) reduction in body weight and diabetes levels after 60 days intragastric Gymnema lactiferum extract gavage. The hyperglycemia rat’s blood sugar levels were significantly (p<0.05) reduced by the Gymnema lactiferum extract therapy. In this study with Gymnema lactiferum extract therapy, medium and higher doses of Gymnema lactiferum extract showed significant decrease in blood sugar level proving the plant having efficient anti-diabetic activity. Moreover, the lipid test resulted in a significant decrease in the total cholesterol level including significant reduction in urea and creatinine level in the diabetic rats by different dosages of Gymnema lactiferum in a dose-dependent manner.