Study of glycemic profile of Cajanus cajan leaves in experimental rats

Abstract

The present study deals with the evaluation of glycemic profile of aqueous extract of Cajanus cajan leaves in streptozotocin induced type 2 diabetic rats. Single oral administration of graded doses of aqueous extract of Cajanus cajan leaves showed significant increment of 14.3 % in fasting blood glucose levels of normal rats. The sub diabetic and mild diabetic models have also shown hyperglycemic effect from the same variable doses of the extract. The dose of 1000 mg/kg showed the maximum rise of 17.1, 71.2 and 50.7 % in Blood glucose levels of normal, sub and mild diabetic rats respectively during glucose tolerance test. The study of leaves was taken into consideration on the basis of earlier reported hypoglycemic activity of Cajanus cajan seeds. However the results observed were found just opposite and therefore it may be useful in controlling hypoglycemia, occasionally caused due to excess of insulin and other hypoglycemic drugs.