ANTIDIABETIC ACTIVITY OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CUCUMIS DIPSACEUS EHRENB. (FRUIT) IN STREPTOZOTOCIN- INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The present study was designed to investigate the hypoglycemic and antidiabetic properties of Cucumis dipsaceus fruit which is widely used in the Indian traditional medicine for the treatment of diabetes.Aim of present study, to investigate the antidiabetic action of the methanolic extract of C. dipsaceus fruits in Streptozotocin induced-diabetic rats. The antidiabetic activity of methanolic extract of fruit C. dipsaceus was evaluated by using normal and streptozotocin induced-diabetic rats. The acute effect of methanolic extract was evaluated by administering 500 mg/kg p.o. to normoglycemic rats. In the chronic model, the methanolic extract was administered to normal and STZ-induced-diabetic rats at dose of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg p.o. per day for 21 days. Blood glucose levels and body weights were observed at specific intervals and different biochemical parameters were also monitored. Methanolic extract (500mg/kg) produced a significant reduction in blood glucose level in STZ- induced diabetic rats. The statistical data indicated a significant increase in the body weight and serum insulin level and decrease in the glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Total cholesterol level decreased while an increase in HDL and LDL cholesterol level was observed when treated with the extract. Thus the methanolic fruit extract of C. dipsaceus exhibited significant anti-hyperglycemic activities and beneficial effects in reducing the elevated total cholesterol level of STZ-induced-diabetic rats.