European Journal of Medicinal Plants

Aims: To check the effect of the aqueous extract of an antidiabetic plant Cassia alata Linn. on Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) in glucose induced normal, and diabetic mice and to check if there is any toxic effect of the extract.

Study Design: OGTT was carried out in two main groups (normal and diabetic) of mice, with 3 sub-groups. The effect of CAAE (Cassia alata Aqueous Extract) on OGTT in normal mice group was assessed at different time intervals (0 min, 30 min, 60 min, 90 min and 120 min). Oral acute toxicity test of the extract was performed in three groups of mice.

Place and Duration of the Study: The study was conducted at Assam University, Department of Biotechnology, Assam, India, between February and August, 2014.

Methods: OGTT was performed following the method of Badole 2006, in STZ induced diabetic mice group and normal mice group. Acute oral toxicity test was performed based on OECD guidelines, with reference to behavioural aspects, in Swiss Albino mice.

Results: CAAE did not produce any mortality and sign of lethality throughout the study period of 14 days. In normal mice the percentage change in BGL ranges from 91.42% - 40.85% in NC (Normal Control) mice; 84.85% - 21.90% in GTNM Glibenclamide treated Normal Mice); and 88.66% - 43.28% in AqETNM (Aqueous Extract treated Normal Mice). In Diabetic group the percentage change in BGL ranges from 66.51% - 46.38% in DC (Diabetic Control) mice; 53.51% - 12.50% in GTDM (glibenclamide treated Diabetic Mice); and 55.21% - 0.33 in AqETDM (Aqueous Extract treated diabetic Mice).

Conclusion: The toxicity test result indicates that the extract is nontoxic and can be used in further bioactivity test. The study reveals the positive effect of extracts in maintaining glucose homeostasis in mice.