Abstract

Antidiabetic activity of Cicer arietinum in alloxan induced mice

Author(s): M.Lakshmi Prabha, Emilin Renitta, Reya Issac, Denny, Bindhu Ravi

A study of ancient literature indicates that diabetes is fairly well known and well conceived as an entity in India. Health is a birth right of every individual and there is increasing evidence that the dietary habits of people are important determinants of health. Apart from currently available therapeutic options, many herbal medicines have been recommended for the treatment of diabetes. Traditional plant medicines are used throughout the world for a range of diabetic presentations. The chickpea (Cicer arietinum) is an edible legume of the family Fabaceae, subfamily Faboideae. They are high in protein and one of the earliest cultivated vegetables. These seeds were freshly isolated and its methanol extracts were used to check its antidiabetic activity on alloxan induced diabetic mice. Methanolic extracts of Cicer arietinum seeds exhibited significant antihyperglycemic activities in alloxan-induced diabetic mice. These extracts showed improvement in parameters like body weight and lipid profile as well as regeneration of beta cells of pancreas and so might be of considerable value in diabetes treatment.