The present study was undertaken to evaluate the
antidiabetic and hypolipidemic action of leaf extract of Barleria cristata Linn in rats. Diabetes was induced in the rats by a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of
alloxan (150 mg/kg) and randomly divided into 7 groups. Animals were treated with low (250 mg/kg) and high (500 mg/kg) doses of
ethyl acetate leaf extract (EALE) and hydro-alcoholic leaf extract (HALE) up to 21 days. The
body weight and
blood glucose level (BGL) were measured on weekly basis. The rats were killed under mild
ether anesthesia on 21st day, blood and the vital organ were collected to estimate biochemical parameters and to study histopathological changes. A single-dose administration of
alloxan induced
hyperglycemia in all the groups. A regular increase in BGL was observed in toxic control groups when compared with the normal control. Daily
oral administration of rats with extracts (HALE and EALE) and standard
drug (
Glimepiride, 5 mg/kg), reduced elevated BGL significantly (p < 0.001), and
body weight was regained in diabetic rats. The extract treatment also improved the normal functioning of the liver and kidneys as evidenced by the restoration of the biochemical profile. The study revealed that B. cristata possesses promising
antidiabetic and hypolipidemic activity.