Hypoglycemic effect of aqueous extract of Parthenium hysterophorus L.
in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats

Vijay S Patel, V Chitra, P Lakshmi Prasanna, V Krishnaraju
Department of Pharmacology, SRM College of Pharmacy,
Kattankulathur-603203, Kanchipuram district, TN, India

Objectives: To study the effects of Parthenium hysterophorus L. flower
on serum glucose level in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats.
Materials and Methods: Albino rats were divided into six groups of six
animals each, three groups of normal animals receiving different
treatments consisting of vehicle, aqueous extract of Parthenium
hysterophorus L. flower (100 mg/kg) and the standard antidiabetic
drug, glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg). The same treatment was given to the
other three groups comprising alloxan induced diabetic animals.
Fasting blood glucose level was estimated using the glucose oxidase
method in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats, before and 2 h
after the administration of drugs.
Results: Parthenium hysterophorus L. showed significant reduction in
blood glucose level in the diabetic (P <0.01) rats. However, the
reduction in blood glucose level with aqueous extract was less than
with the standard drug glibenclamide. The extract showed less
hypoglycemic effect in fasted normal rats, (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The study reveals that the active fraction of Parthenium
hysterophorus L. flower extract is very promising for developing
standardized phytomedicine for diabetes mellitus.

http://www.ijp-online.com/article.asp?issn=0253-7613;year=2008;volume=40;issue=4\
;spage=183;epage=185;aulast=Patel