Evaluation of antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activities of Saraca asoca (Roxb.) De Wild leaves in streptozotocin induced diabetic mice

Objective: To investigate the antihyperglycemic and antioxidant properties of the petroleum\udEther, chloroform and methanol extract of Saraca asoca (Roxb.) De Wild (S. asoca) leaves in mice.\udMethods: Swiss albino mice were made diabetic by a single dose of streptozotocin (150 mg/kg i.p.).\udBlood glucose levels and body weights of mice were measured using on weekly intervals i.e day 0, 7,\ud14 and 21 after daily administration of all extracts at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg. Other biochemical\udparameters such as serum cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, LDLcholesterol, urea, creatinin and proteins levels were also measured at the end of study. The effects\udof all extracts were also noticed on vital organs e.g. liver, kidney and pancreas. The antioxidant\udpotential of all extracts was also determined by DPPH and H2O2 radical scavenging in vitro methods.\udResults: Oral administration of the extracts for 21 days caused a significant (P <0.01) reduction in\udblood glucose levels in diabetic mice. Among all the extracts, methanol extract showed better results.\udThe body weight of diabetic animals was also improved after daily administration of extracts. All the\udextracts also improved other altered biochemical parameters associated with diabetes. Furthermore,\udthe extracts have favorable effects on the histopathological changes of the pancreas, liver and kidney\udin STZ induced diabetic mice. All the extracts showed significant (P <0.05) antioxidant activity at the\uddose of 500 µg/ml. Conclusions: S. asoca possesses antihyperglycemic and antioxidant properties as\udwell improves body weight, liver profile, renal profile and total lipid levels. It can justify folklore uses\udof the plant in diabetes