To find out the mechanism of action of
Azadirachta indica aqueous leaf extract (ALE) as hypoglycaemic agent. Materials and
Methods:
Overnight fasted albino
rats of Wister
strain of either
sex were divided into 3 groups-a) Control (5% aqueous
gum acacia suspension 5ml/kg, PO), b) Test (ALE-500mg/kg, PO) and c) Standard (
glibenclamide 0.5mg/kg, PO).
Blood glucose was estimated before
administration of
drugs and at 30min, 60min & 120min after the
administration of
drugs. For
glycogen estimation also different
animals were taken and divided into
similar groups and after 1h of
administration of
drugs, the
animals were killed and
glycogen concentration from the
liver,
skeletal muscle and
cardiac muscle were estimated.
Results:
The ALE produces a marked decrease in
blood glucose level in normal
rats. The
glycogen content of
liver,
skeletal muscle and
cardiac muscle was increased significantly (p<0.001) after 1h of
administration of ALE as compare to control.
Conclusion:
ALE decreases
blood glucose level and increases
glycogen concentration in
liver,
skeletal muscle and
cardiac muscle significantly. Increased
glycogen synthesis is one of the important mechanisms responsible for its
hypoglycemic action.