ABSTRACT

In Indian traditional system of medicine, Ficus nervosa Heyne ex. (Moraceae) is prescribed for the treatment of diabetes mellitus. In the present study, the antidiabetic effect of petroleum ether extract of Ficus nervosa leaves (PEFN) was investigated in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Albino wistar rats were rendered diabetic by STZ (55 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). PEFN was orally administered to STZ-induced diabetic rats at 200 and 400 mg/kg, p.o doses for 14 days to determine anti-diabetic activity. The fasting blood sugar levels and serum biochemical analysis in STZ-induced diabetic rats were investigated. Oral administration of PEFN (200 & 400 mg/kg) for 14 days exhibited a significant reduction in serum glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides in alloxan diabetic rats. The anti-diabetic activity of the petroleum ether extract of Ficus nervosa (PEFN) were similar to those produced by glibenclamide at 600μg/kg (positive control, p < 0.01). The results demonstrate that PEFN possesses potent anti-diabetic activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats. These very encouraging results for diabetes control by petroleum ether extract of Ficus nervosa make the need for clinical studies in humans evident.

Keywords: Ficus nervosa, STZ-induced diabetic rats, anti-diabetic, LDL, VLDL, TG, Total cholestrol.