Ethnopharmacological relevance: Leucas cephalotes (Roth.) Spreng. (Laminaceae) is an ayurvedic traditional medicinal plant used in India, Nepal and Pakistan to treat several ailments including diabetes.
Aim of the study: The aim of the present study is to investigate the antidiabetic, antihyperlipaemic and antioxidant activities of Leucas cephalotes for its purported use in diabetes.
Materials and methods: The ethanol extract of leaves of Leucas cephalotes was administered (150, 300 and 450 mg kg(-1)bw) to diabetes induced (IDDM and NIDDM) rats and carbohydrate, lipid, antioxidant, urea and creatinine profiles were assessed.
Results: All the three doses of extract decreased plasma glucose and lipid profiles and, improved the antioxidant status of both types of diabetic rats. The extract administration improved hepatic glycogen content and hexokinase activity, decreased glucose-6-phosphatase activity, blood urea, creatinine contents and decreased lipid peroxidation in diabetic rats. Of the three doses used, 450 mg kg(-1)bw dose was found to be more potent in its effects comparable to those of glibenclamide and metformin.
Conclusion: Leucas cephalotes regulates both carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and, improves body antioxidant defense systems in both types of diabetes.
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