ANTIHYPERGLYCEMIC AND IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITIES OF PUNICA GRANATUM LINN. IN ALLOXAN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The present study was undertaken to evaluate antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activities of aqueous and methanolic extracts of leaves of Punica granatum. The aqueous and methanolic extracts (200 and 400 mg/kg) of the leaves were tested for their efficacy in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Glibenclamide (4 mg/kg), p.o. and insulin (5 unit/kg s.c.) were used as standard drugs. The maximum reduction in fasting blood glucose in diabetic rats was observed with aqueous extract as compared to methanolic extract. Oral glucose tolerance test in normal rats showed reduction in fasting blood glucose level at 60 min of extract administration. Aqueous and methanolic extracts of leaves of Punica granatum exhibited scavenging effect in concentration dependent manner on 2, 2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide and reducing power assay. Ascorbic acid was used as a standard. The findings of the present study suggested that Punica granatum possess significant antihyperglycemic and antioxidant activity.