Hyoglycemic and hyocholesterolemic effects of acacia tortilis [FABACEAE] growing in Makkah

ABSTRACT

Traditional use of herbs and plants in centuries old and they have shown therapeutic properties. But scientific studies are not done to confirm their efficacy and margin of safety. Acacia was collected from UQU, Makkah. Leaves were separated from shoots and aqueous extract of Acacia tortilis was prepared at the concentration of 100mg/ml. Acacia aqueous extract was administered at the dose of 800 mg/kg in treated rats for seven days. The various parameters studied include blood glucose levels, serum cholesterol levels, HDL, LDL, AST, ALT and Urea. All parameters were estimated using diagnostic kits spectrophotometrically. At the end of study autopsy also performed. Administration of Acacia aqueous extract [800mg/kg] for seven consecutive days caused significant [P<0.05] decrease in blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, and LDL level while an increase in serum HDL - cholesterol was observed as compared to their control rats. However a statistically significant [P<0.05] decrease in body weight was also observed. Autopsy did not show any sign of abnormality and all rats were comparable with their control rats. The findings of the present study confirm that above-mentioned plant validates our claim. In the light of our pharmacological and toxicological studies, Acacia tortilis appears to be a valuable plant, which can be useful, at least as an adjunct, in the therapy of diabetes and hypercholesterolemia or in a condition in which hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia coexist quite often. Further the toxicological, hematological and autopsy results further confirm the wide marginal safety of Acacia torilis leaves aqueous extract