Antidiabetic Activity of Feronia limonia and Artocarpus heterophyllus in Streptozotocin Induced Diabetic Rats

Antidiabetic activity of Feronia limonia Fruit and Artocarpus heterophyllus Bark extracts used as edible medicine by local tribal population of Vellore districts were analyzed in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of high contents of flavonoid in methanolic extract of Feronia limonia and ethyl acetate extract of Artocarpus heterophyllus compared to other extracts. Diabetes was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (45 mg kg-1). Diabetic rats were treated with these extracts at a dose of 200 and 400 mg kg-1 for 30 days. Hypoglycemic activities of extract treated diabetic rats were assessed by the percentage reduction in fasting blood glucose level. Feronia limonia extract showed significant (p<0.05) decrease in blood glucose level when compared to the Artocarpus heterophyllus extract. Treatment of these extracts also had significant decrease in serum cholesterol level and regain in body weight of diabetic rats. The results suggest that unique bioactive constituents responsible for improving type 2 diabetic rats are present and further has to be purified , isolated and characterized to contribute better therapy for NIDDM.