Hypoglycaemic effect of Lagerstroemia speciosa in type 2 diabetic rats

The objective of this study was to study the hypoglycaemic effect of the aqueous extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa in type 2 diabetic rats. Male albino Wistar rats (30) weighing 180 to 190 g were selected and divided into five groups, maintained six rats in each group. Groups I and II were served as normal and diabetic control. Group III was treated with standard drug as glibenclamide 0.25 mg/kg body weight, whereas groups IV and V were administered extract of 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Type 2 diabetes was induced by using streptozotocin (STZ)-nicotinamide (NIA) in rats. Treatment was carried out for 14 days and the fasting serum glucose level, body weight, glycosylated haemoglobin and lipid profile were measured. Data was collected and analysed statistically using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Student’s t-test. The statistical data indicated the significant decrease in the fasting serum glucose level in diabetic rats. Glycosylated haemoglobin and lipid profile of diabetic rats also decreased. The aqueous extract of L. speciosa has shown hypoglycaemic effect in STZ- nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetic rats.   Key words:  Type 2 diabetes, Lagerstroemia speciosa, streptozotocin, nicotinamide.