Antidiabetic activity of Boerhaavia diffusa L.: effect on hepatic key enzymes in experimental diabetes

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of daily oral administration of aqueous solution of Boerhaavia diffusa L. leaf extract (BLEt) (200 mg/kg) for 4 weeks on blood glucose concentration and hepatic enzymes in normal and alloxan induced diabetic rats. A significant decrease in blood glucose and significant increase in plasma insulin levels were observed in normal and diabetic rats treated with BLEt. Treatment with BLEt resulted in a significant reduction of glycosylated haemoglobin and an increase in total haemoglobin level. The activities of the hepatic enzymes such as hexokinase was significantly increased and glucose-6-phosphatase, fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase were significantly decreased by the administration of BLEt in normal and diabetic rats. An oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was also performed in the same groups, in which there was a significant improvement in glucose tolerance in rats treated with BLEt. A comparison was made between the action of BLEt and antidiabetic drug—glibenclamide (600 μg/kg). The effect of BLEt was more prominent when compared to glibenclamide.