Effects of Fruits Extracts of Three Medicinal Plants on the Blood Glucose Level of Glucose-induced Hyperglycemic and Normal Rabbit Models

Abstract

The fruits of Pistacia integerrima (PI), Withania coagulans (WC) and Withania somnifera (WS) have been reported for their medicinal values. The aim of the present study was to compare the glucose lowering activities of the fruit extracts of these three medicinal plants in glucose induced non-diabetic hyperglycemic and normal rabbit models. During the first phase of experiments, the effects of oral administration of 70% methanol extract of each plant fruit (600 mg/kg body weight) and glibenclamide (5 mg/kg body weight) were studied on the glucose level of glucose induced hyperglycemic rabbits, while in the second phase of experiments, the effects of each fruit extract (600 mg/kg body weight) and glibenclamide (5 mg/kg body weight) were assessed on the glucose level of normal rabbits. Among the three fruit extracts, maximum reduction in the blood glucose level was caused by the PI extract (P ˂0.05). The glucose lowering activity of the PI extract was greater than that of the standard, glibenclamide (5mg/kg), during the first phase of experiments. However during the second phase of experiments the hypoglycemic effect of the PI extract was comparable to that of the standard, glibenclamide (5mg/kg). In conclusion the present study reveals that the 70% methanol extract of Pistacia integerrima fruit can decrease glucose level significantly in glucose induced non-diabetic hyperglycemic and normal rabbit models.