Effect of Gymnema montanum on blood glucose, plasma insulin, and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

• Published in: Journal of medicinal food Vol. 6; no. 1; p. 43
• Main Authors: Ananthan, Rajendran, Latha, Muniappan, Pari, Leelavinothan, Ramkumar, Kunga Mohan, Baskar, Chokkanna Gounder, Bai, Vengatesh Narmatha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 2003
• Subjects: Animals; Blood Glucose - analysis; Carbohydrate Metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - drug therapy; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - enzymology; Fructose-Bisphosphatase - metabolism; Glucose-6-Phosphatase - metabolism; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase - metabolism; Glyburide - therapeutic use; Glycogen - metabolism; Gymnema - chemistry; Hexokinase - metabolism; Insulin - blood; Liver - enzymology; Male; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts - administration & dosage; Plant Leaves - chemistry; Rats; Rats, Wistar
• ISSN: 1096-620X
• DOI: 10.1089/109662003765184732

The effects of Gymnema montanum, an endangered plant used in the ancient period of India, on blood glucose, plasma insulin, and carbohydrate metabolic enzymes were studied in alloxan diabetic rats. Administration of alcoholic extract of G. montanum leaves (50, 100, 200 mg/kg body weight) to alloxan diabetic rats for 3 weeks reduced the blood glucose level. Administration of G. montanum leaf extract (GLEt) at 200 mg/kg body weight significantly decreased the blood glucose levels and significantly increased the plasma insulin levels. This clearly shows the antidiabetic efficacy of GLEt, which was better than that of glibenclamide.