Hypoglycemic of Cajanus scarabaeoides in glucose overloaded and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

In light of traditional claim of Cajanus scarabaeoides (L) in the treatment of diabetes, we studied the effects of different solvent extracts in normal, glucose over loaded normal rats and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The methanolic extract (500 mg/kg orally) was produce significantly reduce blood glucose level at normal, glucose over loaded normal rats, and streptozotocininduced diabetic rats after 15 days treatment; whereas petroleum ether and chloroform extract (500 mg/kg orally) did not exhibit any significant effect on three groups of rats. Histopathology studies on pancreas of streptozotocininduced diabetic rats shows inflammatory changes in pancreatic islets, results from selective destroy of insulin producing β-cells. These changes are inhibited by C. scarabaeoides methanolic extract and gliclazide. The antidiabetic activity of methanolic extract may be due to the presence of flavonoids.