Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activity of Euphorbia thymifolia L. extracts on streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced type 2 diabetic rats

The present investigation is aimed to elucidate the hypoglycaemic and hypolipidemic effect of the aqueous and methanol extract of Euphorbia thymifolia (ET) aerial parts in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA) induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by administration of STZ (65 mg/kg, i.p.) followed by NA (110 mg/kg i.p.) 15 min later. The diabetic rats were treated with aqueous and methanol extract from ET (250 and 500 mg/kg, p.o., respectively) for 28 days. Fasting blood glucose level, plasma insulin, HbA1c, urea, serum creatinine, lipid profile, liver glycogen, ALP, total protein and histopathology of pancreas were carried out to assess antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic effect. After treatment with ET extracts fasting blood glucose, HbA1c levels, urea, serum creatinine and total protein were significantly decrease in diabetic rats. However, serum insulin level and liver glycogen were significantly increased in diabetic rats. The extracts also exhibited a significant hypolipidemic effect as evident from fall in total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins and increase high-density lipoproteins level. The histopathological studies of the pancreas in extract treated diabetic groups revealed almost normal appearance. This study supports the traditional proclamations on E. thymifolia aerial parts.