Effect of aqueous pericarp extract of Litchi chinensis on hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activities in normal and in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Aim: To evaluate the hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic activities of Litchi chinensis in normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.Methods: Diabetes was induced to Wistar albino rats by using streptozotocin Nicotinamide. The rats were divided into 5 groups each having 6 rats including control group receiving water, the diabetic rats treated with gliclazide (1 mg/kg) and aqueous pericarp extract of Litchi chinensis (100, 200 mg/kg). They were fed orally for 12 weeks once daily. Blood was collected by retro orbital plexus method during the study period. At the end of the study period all serum parameters were evaluated.Results: At the end of 12 weeks study period the serum parameters like glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, bilirubin, creatinine, total protein, albumin, uric acid and urea were found to be increased in diabetic rats and treatment with APLC there was a significant reduction in all the parameters. The HDL & total protein were found to be decreased in diabetic rats and there was a significant increase in APLC treatment. The APLC was found to have significant antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipedemia activity and offered significant protection against the damage to kidney, which might be due to the antioxidant potential present in the APLC.