Evaluation of Anti diabetic activity of Ethanolic Extract of Beet Root (EEBT- Beta vulgaris) against Streptozocin induced diabetic Rats.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by chronic elevation of glucose in the blood. It arises because the body is unable to produce enough insulin for its own needs, either because of impaired insulin secretion, impaired insulin action, or both. Chronic exposure to high blood glucose is a leading cause of renal failure, visual loss and a range of other types of tissue damage. Diabetes also predisposes to arterial disease, not least because it is often accompanied by hypertension, lipid disorders and obesity. Many cases of diabetes and almost all of its unwanted long-term consequences are potentially avoidable, but this will require intervention at a societal as well as at a medical level. The three classic symptoms of diabetes are thirst, polyuria and weight loss. As glucose is lost in the urine it draws fluid and other small molecules with it, causing excessive urination, which in turn causes dehydration and thirst. Weight is lost because of rapid breakdown of fat and protein reserves to compensate for the loss of glucose and metabolic inefficiency due to lack of insulin action. These symptoms may be less prominent in older people with type 2-diabetes, who may present with symptoms less directly related to diabetes, or with complications of diabetes ranging from infections to heart disease, or simply as the result of a screening blood test. The main objective of the present work is to screen the bioactive molecules and evaluate the anti diabetic activity of ethanolic extracts of beet root (Beta vulgaris). The anti diabetic activity was carried out in streptozocin induced diabetic rats.  The present experimental data displayed that in STZ induced diabetic rats, the blood glucose levels were in the range of 278–280 mg/dL, which were considered as severe diabetes. In the glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) and EEBT (400 mg/kg) treated groups, the peak values of blood sugar significantly decreased from 282.2 mg/ dL to 116.6 mg/dL and from 280.6 mg/dL to 118.2 mg/dL on the 21st day, respectively. Hence, from this experimental data showed that the EEBT significantly decrease the blood glucose level in diabetic rats but values did not return to those of normal controls. Therefore, EEBT possesses significant (P < 0.01) ant diabetic activity, when compared with diabetic control. There was significant reduction in blood sugar level, serum lipids, urinary sugar and ketone bodies (in 21 days) in STZ diabetic animals.

Key Words: Diabetes mellitus, renal failure, polyuria, STZ etc.