Glucose lowering effect of leaf extracts of Viscum Album in normal
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The use of plants in the treatment of diabetes mellitus is a well-established practice in traditional medicine.
Viscum album has been recommended for the treatment of several diseases. This study evaluated the glucose lowering
effect of leaf extracts of this plant in normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
METHODS: Leaf extracts of Viscum album were prepared with 80 % ethanol and administered to normal and diabetic
New Zealand white rats. The LD50 was determined by the Karbar method. The glucose lowering effect was assessed in
these animals in comparison to normal saline and glibenclamide. Blood glucose was estimated with the aid of a glucose
sensor.
RESULTS: The LD50 was 1520 mg/kg. A dose dependent lowering effect of the fasting blood glucose was observed in
both the normal and diabetic rats, with maximum lowering occurring 6 hours after extract administration. The patterns
of effect were similar to that produced by glibenclamide.
CONCLUSIONS: Leaf extracts of Viscum album showed a significant glucose lowering effect in normal and diabetic rats.
Extracts from this plant could therefore, be useful in controlling blood glucose level.
KEY WORDS: Animal models, diabetes mellitus, Viscum album, hypoglycemic effect, streptozotocin.
Viscum album has been recommended for the treatment of several diseases. This study evaluated the glucose lowering
effect of leaf extracts of this plant in normal and streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.
METHODS: Leaf extracts of Viscum album were prepared with 80 % ethanol and administered to normal and diabetic
New Zealand white rats. The LD50 was determined by the Karbar method. The glucose lowering effect was assessed in
these animals in comparison to normal saline and glibenclamide. Blood glucose was estimated with the aid of a glucose
sensor.
RESULTS: The LD50 was 1520 mg/kg. A dose dependent lowering effect of the fasting blood glucose was observed in
both the normal and diabetic rats, with maximum lowering occurring 6 hours after extract administration. The patterns
of effect were similar to that produced by glibenclamide.
CONCLUSIONS: Leaf extracts of Viscum album showed a significant glucose lowering effect in normal and diabetic rats.
Extracts from this plant could therefore, be useful in controlling blood glucose level.
KEY WORDS: Animal models, diabetes mellitus, Viscum album, hypoglycemic effect, streptozotocin.
Keywords
Animal models, diabetes mellitus, Viscum album, hypoglycemic effect, streptozotocin.