Antidiabetic and anti-oxidant activity of Aegle marmelos extract in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

The aqueous extract of Aegle marmelos Correa. fruits (AMFEt) was studied in normal and streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic rats and anti-lipid peroxidative activity was studied in hepatic and renal tissues in diabetic rats. Oral administration of AMFEt for 30 days (twice a day) prevented significantly the STZ-induced hyperglycaemia and hypoinsulinemia. The extract also produced a significant decrease in peroxidation products, viz., thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and hydroperoxides in diabetic rats. The activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase was found to be increased in the hepatic and renal tissues of diabetic animals treated with AMFEt. AMFEt, at a dose of 250 mg/kg, was more effective than glibenclamide and reversed all the values to near normal status. Thus, AMFEt exhibits antidiabetic and anti-oxidative activity in STZ-diabetic rats.