Antihyperglycaemic activity of ethanolic extract of Cissus quadrangularis (L.) Leaves in alloxan induced diabetic rats

The present study was performed to explore the antihyperglyceamic activity of ethanolic extract of leaves of Cissus quadrangularis against alloxan induced diabetic rats. Ethanolic extract of C. quadrangularis and glyburide were administered orally in alloxan induced diabetic rats. In the acute study, the serum glucose level was estimated at 0, 2, 4, 6 and 24 h after drug administration. The subacute study involved repeated administration of the drugs for 28 days, a serum glucose level estimated at 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. In the OGTT, D-glucose (2.5 g/kg) was administered in diabetic rats half an hour after pre-treatment with EtCQ and glyburide. Serum glucose levels were estimated 30 min prior to glucose administration and at 0, 30, 60 and 120 min after glucose loading. In EtCQ (400 mg/kg), the onset was 4 h, the peak effect was 6 h but the effect waned at 24 h. In subacute study, repeated administration (once a day for 28 days) of the glyburide and EtCQ caused a significant reduction in the serum glucose level as compared to the vehicle treated group. EtCQ (400 mg/kg) treatment prevented a decrease in the body weight of the diabetic rats. In the OGTT, EtCQ (200 & 400 mg/kg) increased the glucose threshold at 30 min after the administration of glucose. The EtCQ (400 mg/kg) showed significant antihyperglyceamic activity than EtCQ (100 and 200 mg/kg). It can be concluded that ethanolic extract of C. quadrangularis has antihyperglyceamic activity.