ABSTRACT
Due to the anti-diabetic effect of Withania somnifera [WS] [ashwagandha] and its beneficial effect on the metabolism of foodstuffs, the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect of this plant was investigated in an experimental model of diabetes mellitus. For this purpose, male Wistar rats [n = 48] were randomly divided into 4 groups, i.e. control, WS-treated control, diabetic, and WS-treated diabetic groups. The treatment groups received oral administration of plant-mixed pelleted food [6.25%] for two months. Serum glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL- and HDL- cholesterol levels were determined before the study, and at 4thand 8thweeks after the experiment. Serum glucose level in the diabetic group increased 4 and 8 weeks after the experiment as compared to data one week before the study [P<0.001] and WS treatment of diabetic rats had no significant effect. In addition, triglyceride level in the diabetic group increased 8 weeks after the experiment in comparison with related data one week before the study [P<0.05], and there was a significant lower level of triglycerides in W8-treated diabetic rats [P<0.05]. Furthermore, a similar significant reduction was obtained for treated-diabetic group as compared to the diabetic group regarding serum cholesterol level [P<0.05]. On the other hand, HDL- and LDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher [P<0.05] and lower [p<0.01] in the WS-diabetic group as compared to the untreated diabetic group respectively. Chronic oral administration of WS has no significant hypoglycemic effect and leads to appropriate changes in blood lipid profile