Effect of Cassia auriculata flowers on blood sugar levels, serum and tissue lipids in streptozotocin diabetic rats.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The main aim was to demonstrate the effects of Cassia auriculata flowers on blood glucose and lipid levels in experimental diabetic rats.

METHODOLOGY: Aqueous extract of Cassia auriculata flowers was administered orally and different doses of the extract on blood glucose, haemoglobin, glycosylated haemoglobin, serum and tissue lipids, hexokinase and glucose-6-phosphatase in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were studied. Glibenclamide was used as standard reference drug.

RESULTS: Cassia auriculata flower extract (CFEt), at doses of 0.15, 0.30 and 0.45 g/kg body weight for 30 days, suppressed the elevated blood glucose and lipid levels in diabetic rats. Cassia auriculata at 0.45 g/kg was found to be comparable to glibenclamide.

CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the Cassia auriculata flowers possess antihyperlipidaemic effect in addition to antidiabetic activity.