EVALUATION OF ANTI-DIABETIC AND ANTI-HYPERLIPIDEMIC POTENTIAL OF METHANOLIC EXTRACT OF Juniperus communis (L.) IN STREPTOZOTOCINNICOTINAMIDE INDUCED DIABETIC RATS.

Abstract

Juniperus communis (Cuppraseae), a coniferous plant widely used as traditional medicine was evaluated for the antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic activity on Streptozotocin(STZ)-nicotinamide induced diabetic rats. The methanolic extract of Juniperus communis (MEJC) (100mg/kg, 200mg/kg, b.w) was administered orally in diabetic group except the standard group (Glibenclamide 10mg/kg, b.w) and the fasting blood glucose levels along with the different biochemical parameters were estimated on 21^st day after collecting blood through retro-orbital puncture technique. It was observed that the extract showed significant (P<0.01) reduction in blood glucose levels along with the different lipid profile parameters (with increase in HDL levels) in diabetic rats. This study demonstrated a dose dependent and significant anti-diabetic and anti-hyperlipidemic property of the extract, providing the rationale behind its use as an effective drug against type-2 diabetes.