ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that is accompanied with reduction of endogenous antioxidants and an increase in oxidative stress in the human body. Antioxidants have been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes, improve glucose disposal and improve some of the associated complications. In earlier reports, certain insulin-like effects of epicatechin was shown in rats. However, other researchers couldn't confirm these effects in their studies. So, the present study was conducted on 50 adult male albino rats weighting from 180-200g. Rats were rendered diabetic by a single intraperitoneal injection of freshly prepared streptozocin [45mg/kg]. After 48h of streptozocin administration, blood glucose levels were estimated in rats fasted overnight using blood glucose kits. Rats with blood glucose greater than 250mg/dl were considered diabetic and were divided randomly into 5 groups [10 animals/group]. The antioxidant, antiperoxidative and hypoglycaemic effects of epicatechin alone and in combination with glibenclamide were assessed. It was found that both epicatechin and glibenclamide had a significant antioxidant and antiperoxidative effects. However as regarding the hypoglycaemic effect, it was found that glibenclamide was better than epicatechin. The combination between epicatechin and glibenclamide was better than the use of each drug alone in controlling hyperglycaemia and in reducing the oxidative stress