Barringtonia acutangula improves the biochemical parameters in diabetic rats

AIM: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 mgkg-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 mgkg-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 mgkg-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.CONCLUSION: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.