Effect of <i>Saussurea lappa</i> alcoholic extract on different endocrine glands in relation to glucose metabolism in the rat

Abstract

Abstract In this report the alcoholic extract of the root of Saussurea lappa C. B. Clarke (Compositae) has been used on albino rats to investigate the response on the histology of the thyroid gland, adrenal gland, pancreas and liver. Its effect on liver glycogen, blood glucose and plasma insulin has also been investigated. Treatment up to 7 days shows a significant hypoglycaemic response without an increase in plasma insulin. The acute response shows the accumulation of glycogen in the liver followed by its depletion. The histology of the thyroid shows stimulation. Liver sections do not show any toxic effects up to 400 mg/kg body weight. No change was observed in sections of adrenal gland and pancreas.