Evaluation of Antidiabetic Activity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Cassia fistula Linn. pod in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a global health problem and the incidence of DM is increasing at alarming rate all over the world. Many Indian medicinal plants have been reported to possess potential antidiabetic activity and could play important role in the management diabetes. Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate antidiabetic activities of 70% ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula pod in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg b.wt.). The diabetic rats were administered orally with C. fistula pod extract at three different doses (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt./day) for 60 days. The results were compared with standard drug glibenclamide (5 mg/kg b.wt./day) treated rats. Results: The streptozotocin treated diabetic control rats showed a significant increase in the blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels with a concomitant decrease in the body weight and glycogen content in the liver as compared to normal control rats. Oral administration of C. fistula pod extract (100, 250 and 500 mg/kg b.wt./day) or glibenclamide for 60 days showed significant reduction in the blood glucose and HbA1c levels and an elevation in the body weight and hepatic glycogen content as compared to diabetic control rats. Furthermore, treatment with extract (500 mg/kg b.wt.) also showed improvement of oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) in diabetic rats. These results were comparable to glibenclamide. Conclusion: The results of present study showed that C. fistula pod extract possess significant antihyperglycemic activity and supports the traditional use of C. fistula pod for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.