Antihyperglycemic and Antilipidperoxidative Effects of Ficus racemosa (Linn.) Bark Extracts in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Rats

Different parts of the Ficus racemosa plant products are employed in the Indian traditional medicine for the treatment of several disorders including diabetes mellitus. Our aim was to investigate the antihyperglycemic and antilipidperoxidative effects of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Ficus racemosa bark (FrABet and FrEBet) in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Oral administration of FrABet and FrEBet at a dose of 400 and 300 mg kg-1 bw, respectively showed potent antihyperglycemic and antilipidperoxidative effects in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The extracts also improved the antioxidants defense system in alloxan induced diabetic rats. The FrEBet showed better effect than glibenclamide whereas the effect of FrABet was much comparable to that of glibenclamide (reference drug). Our results indicate that FrABet and FrEBet have prominent antidiabetic and antilipidperoxidative effects in experimental diabetes and can therefore be used as an alternative remedy for the treatment of diabetes mellitus and its complications.