Antidiabetic and antihyperlipidaemic potential of Amaranthus viridis (L.) Merr. in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Abstract

The present study is planned to investigate the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidaemic potential of Amaranthus viridis stem aqueous extract (AVSAE) in Stz-induced diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced in rats by single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (55mg/kg b.wt.). After 72 h rats with marked hyperglycaemia (fasting blood glucose ≥250 mg/dl) were selected and used for the study. Antidiabetic activity was evaluated by administration of AVSAE orally at the doses of 100,200 and 400 mg/kg body weight for 30 days. Glibenclamide (500 ug/kg) was used as the reference drug. Fasting blood glucose and lipid parameters, viz. triglycerides, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein levels were measured. In STZ-induced diabetic rats, repeated administration of AVSAE significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the blood glucose level in a dose-dependent manner during the 30 days of treatment period. AVSAE modulated lipid profile changes in STZ-diabetic rats in a dose-dependent manner. The significant control of serum lipids levels in the AVSAE treated diabetic rats may be directly attributed to improvement in glycemic control upon AVSAE therapy. Hence, these findings demonstrate that Amaranthus viridis has the potential to treat diabetes mellitus and complications owing to its antidiabetic and antihyperlipidaemic effect.