Antidiabetic Activity of Methanolic Fruit Extracts of Prunus Armeniaca Linn in Streptozotocin- Induced Diabetic Rats

To characterize and screening of diabetes preventive effect of methanolic extract of Prunus armeniaca Linn after exposure to streptozotocin. Methanolic extract of Prunus armeniaca Linn was prepared using soxhlet apparatus and was characterized using ultraviolet spectroscopy, infra-red spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy. Diabetes preventive activity of methanolic extract was evaluated by giving extract to healthy Wistar rats for 18 days followed by administering streptozotocin on 19th day by intra peritoneal route along with oral administration of extract at selected doses for additional 72 hours. Glycaemic parameters were evaluated to check the glycaemic controlling effect of extracts at selected doses. In dose dependent manner methanolic extract of Prunus armeniaca Linn results in statistically significant reduction in fasting plasma glucose, glycated haemoglobin and urinary glucose levels. Dose dependent glucose lowering effect was also observed in Oral Glucose Tolerance Test. Methanolic extract of Prunus armeniaca Linn offers significant protection against streptozotocin induced diabetes.