Purpose: The root and aerial parts of
Boerhaavia diffusa
Linn. (Nyctaginaceae) were used in Ayurveda for the treatment of diabetes. The present study is aimed at evaluating the antidiabetic activity of chloroform extract of
Boerhaavia diffusa leaves on chronic administration in streptozotocin-induced non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) model diabetic rats.
Methods: The blood glucose lowering activity of the leaf extract was studied in streptozotocininduced (65 mg/kg, i.v.) NIDDM model diabetic rats after oral administration of the extract at daily doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight for four weeks and compared with glibenclamide. Blood samples were collected from the tail vein before and also at weekly intervals for four weeks from the first dose of drug administration and blood glucose was analyzed by glucose-oxidase method using a visible spectrophotometer.
Results: The leaf extract of B. diffusa produced dose-dependent reduction in blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced NIDDM rats comparable to that of glibenclamide. The results indicate that the reduction in blood glucose produced by the extract is probably through rejuvenation of pancreatic β-cells or through extrapancreatic action.
Conclusion: The chloroform extract of
Boerhaavia diffusa has significant antidiabetic activity and this supports the traditional usage of the plant by Ayurvedic physicians for the control of diabetes.
