HYPOGLYCEMIC ACTIVITY OF NELUMBO-NUCIFERA GAERTN (FAM NYMPHAEACEAE) RHIZOME (METHANOLIC EXTRACT) IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The hypoglycaemic effect of the rhizome extract of Nelumbo nucifera was studied in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A methanol extract of the plant obtained by soxhlet extraction from finely pulverized rhizomes was used, The LD(50) Of the extract was found to be 2 g/kg, The extract (300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg, orally) caused a reduction of blood glucose levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats by 53% (p< 0.001) and 55% (p < 0.001) respectively at the end of 12 h, The results of this study indicate that the methanol extract of the rhizome possesses favourable hypoglycaemic activity in hyperglycaemic animals taking chlorpropamide as a standard.