Antidiabetic effects of ethanol extract of Uromastyx hardwickii Smith (Agamidae) skin on streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in mice

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the in vivo hypoglycemic potential of the ethanol extract of Uromastyx hardwickii skin (EEUHS). Methods: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice received graded doses (100 and 200 mg/kg) of EEUHS for oral glucose tolerance and hypoglycemic test. The effects of EEUHS on body weight gain, urea, creatinine, cholesterol and hemoglobin concentration were also investigated. Result: The blood glucose concentrations of the EEUHS-treated groups were diminished (p < 0.05) relative to the diabetic control group. The urea, creatinine and cholesterol levels of the EEUHS-treated groups were lower (p < 0.05), but their hemoglobin concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) relative to the diabetic control group. Conclusion: The EEUHS elicits hypoglycemic effects and ameliorates complications of diabetes mellitus in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. This suggests that EEUHS can potentially be developed for the management of diabetic patients.