Beneficial effect of Barleria buxifolia leaves extract in the treatment of diabetes and associated complications

Abstract

The global occurrence of diabetes has witnessed persistent escalation, starting from 151 million individuals in the year 2000, the time when the IDF Diabetes Atlas was initially introduced, to 285 million in 2009, and further reaching 382 million in 2013. Diabetes mellitus is characterized by elevated levels of glucose in the blood plasma. This condition emerges as a consequence of insufficient insulin secretion, insulin resistance or both, subsequently leading to metabolic abnormalities. The plant known as Barleria buxifolia (BB), belonging to the Acanthaceae family, is intended to possess the ability to treat various ailments in the traditional Indian system of medicine. Hence, this research aims to investigate the effects of methanolic and aqueous extracts of BB leaves on diabetic models of rats. STZ (60 mg/kg) was administered to induce diabetes in the rats. Both the extracts of BB were orally administered at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, respectively to the normal and diabetic rats, commencing from the 3^rd day until the 28^th day. Blood samples were examined to determine glucose levels. The diabetic rats exhibited a notable rise in blood glucose levels. The aqueous and methanolic extracts of BB reduced the elevated glucose levels significantly (P > 0.01) and enhanced the body weight of rats. Thus, it can be inferred that BB possesses considerable potential for the management of diabetes mellitus.