EVALUATION OF ANTIDIABETIC AND ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF THE ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF CARDIOSPERMUM HALICACABUM LINN STEM ON STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Purpose: To investigate antidiabetic and antioxidant activity of the ethanolic extract of Cardiospermum halicacabum Linn on Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats modeldiabetic rats.Methods: Streptozotocin (45 mg/kg b.w) was administered to wistar albino rats via the intraperitoneal route. The diabeticrats were then placed in 5 groups, following stabilization of hyperglycemia. The first group was untreated, thenext receives Streptozotocin (45 mg/kg b.w) the next two groups received, each day 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of the ethanol extract Cardiospermum halicacabum and the fifth group received a reference standard, glibenclamide (0.5 mg/kg). Treatment was via the oral route for 28 days and fasting blood sugar level was monitored over this period. Acute toxicity (oral )studies on the extract was carried out, as well as phytochemical screening of the extract. Results: All doses of the extract ( 200 and 400 mg/kg) significantly (p < 0.05, p < 0.0001, p <0.05,respectively) lowered fasting blood glucose level, notably at the 7th , 14th 21th and 28th day. Glibenclamide (0.5 mg /kg) also significantly lowered fasting blood glucose (p < 0.0001). The results on acute toxicity revealed that for the oral route is high safety status of the plant. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of saponins, tannins, alkaloids and flavonoids. Conclusion: This study supports the use of Cardiospermum halicacabum in traditional medicine as well as highlights the need to further explore the potentials of the plant extract as a antihyperglycemic agent