ABSTRACT
The purpose of the present study was to assess the effect of ethanolic extract of Syzygium aromaticum buds in streptozotocin [STZ] induced diabetes in rats. Randomized controlled trial. This study was conducted at the Department of Pharmacology, Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi from 1[st] Jan 2011 to 30 [st] June 2011. Single injection of STZ was given intraperitoneally to rats and rats showed fasting glucose level over 280 mg/dl were included in the study. After induction of diabetes all rats were divided into, normal control group [A], diabetes positive control group [B], and the two groups [C and D] served as experimental groups while group E served as standard as it received glibenclamide. Group C and D diabetic experimental rats received ethanolic extract of Syzygium aromaticum at 250 mg/kg and 500mg/kg of body weight orally for eight weeks on daily basis. On the other hand group E rats received glibenclamide at 0.5 mg/kg body weight orally for eight weeks. Blood samples were collected after eight weeks. The diabetic positive group rats showed variable increase in serum levels of glucose, triglycerides, low density dipoprotein [LDL] and total cholesterol levels. Serum high density lipoprotein [HDL] levels decreased in diabetic positive group. Syzygium aromaticum 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg dose and glibenclamide significantly decreased the levels of these parameters in rats. On comparison Syzygium aromaticum 500 mg/kg dose reduced glucose and lipid levels more, effectively than the 250mg/kg dose of Syzygium aromaticum and glibenclamide. Syzygium aromaticum constitutents, especially polyphenols and flavonoids have strong anti-oxidant activity which might be involved in glucose and lipid lowering effect. Syzygium aromaticum ethanolic extract decrease glucose and lipid levels in experimentally induced diabetic rats