Evaluation of Anti-Diabetic Activity of the Plant Leaves of Verbascum thapsus in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Objective: To evaluate the anti-diabetic activity of ethanolic extract of Verbascum thapsus (L) on alloxan induced diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of alloxan monohydrate (100 mg/kg b.w/i.p). Ethanolic extract of Verbascum thapsus (L) (250, 500 mg/kg b.w/p.o) was prepared freshly, administered to alloxan induced diabetic rats for 21 days. Blood glucose levels monitored at 1, 3, 7, 14 and 21 days, serum lipid profile and Histopathological changes in pancreas were examined after 21 days. OGTT was performed by administration of 250 and 500 mg/kg b.w/p.o of ethanolic extract of Verbascum thapsus (L) and 10 mg/kg b.w/p.o of Glibenclamide to different groups respectively in normal rats. Results: Significant (p<0.001) results were observed in the estimated parameters like reduction in blood glucose, elevated cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL, LDL levels and also increase in the levels of HDL were observed in diabetic rat's treatment after 21 days of extract. The treatment produced protective effect of β-cells of Langerhans of pancreas in rats by histopathological studies. Oral glucose tolerance test, blood glucose levels significantly lower at all time points (In extract and standard Wistar rats) that blood was sampled after oral glucose load. Conclusion: The results were suggested that the whole plant extract of Verbascum thapsus (L) having potent Antidiabetic activity on alloxan-induced diabetic rats and this justifies its use in ethanomedicine and can be exploited in the management of diabetes.