Efficacy of Lepidium Sativum to act as an anti-diabetic agent

Objective: Lepidium sativum, commonly known as chandrashoor in India, has been used in the Indian traditional medicine system for the treatment of various diseases. The present study was undertaken to investigate the hypoglycemic effect of Lepidium sativum in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and methods: Thirty (30) adult male Wistar rats weighing 157±51g were randomly assigned to five groups of six rats each as Normal control, Diabetic control, Diabetics supplemented with Lepidium sativum extract, Diabetics treated with insulin, and Normal rats supplemented with Lepidium sativum. All rats were fed with a normal laboratory diet, nutrient rich pellets, and had free access to drinking water. The rats were injected with streptozotocin at a dose of 45 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneally to induce diabetes. The extracts were then given orally to different groups of rats at a dose of 20mg/kg body weight for 16 days. Thereafter, the rats were sacrificed, and blood samples collected by cardiac puncture were used for the determination of Glucose, Creatinine, Alkaline Phosphatase, Cholesterol, Malondialdehyde level, % DPPH, and FRAP content. Results: Administration of lepidium extract showed a significant reduction in glucose, creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase levels. Elevated cholesterol level was restored approximately to normal; a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels was also observed compared to diabetic controls. Conclusion: Lepidium sativum extract shows efficacy in the prevention and management of diabetes mellitus and its related complications.