Hypoglycemic Effects of Clitoria ternatea Linn. (Fabaceae) in Alloxan-induced Diabetes in Rats

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects of the aqueous extract of Clitoria ternatea Linn. Fabaceae leaves and flowers on alloxan-induced diabetes in rats. Methods: The effect of orally administered aqueous extracts (400 mg/kg body weight) of Clitoriaternatea leaves and flowers on serum glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and insulin were examined in control and extract-treated diabetic rats. The glycogen content of the liver and skeletal muscles of therats was evaluated while the activities of the glycolytic enzyme, glucokinase, and the gluconeogenic enzyme, glucose-6-phosphatase in the liver were assessed. The extracts were administered over a period of 84 days. Results: The aqueous extracts of Clitoria ternatea leaves and flowers significantly (P