Evaluation of Anti-diabetic Property on Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

The diabetes-inducing agent streptozotocin (STZ) is a glucosamine-nitrosourea compound produced by Streptomyces achromogenes, which specifically induces DNA strand breakage in β-cells causing diabetes mellitus. The destruction of pancreatic β-cells by STZ is associated with a huge release of insulin in their first phase, and then in the second phase, the destruction has lead to deficiency of insulin causes hyperglycaemia. A detailed method on selection of diabetic animals, investigation of blood glucose levels, body weight, biochemical and histopathological parameters is presented in this chapter.