Effect of Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. leaves extract on certain physiological parameters of diabetic rats

Gymnema sylvestre r. br. (g. sylvestre) belonging to the family asclepiadaceae, has been used as a traditional medicine plant in africa, australia and asia especially in india. aim of the study: the present study aimed to clarify the effect of g. sylvestre leaves extract on several physiological parameters of diabetic rats. materials and methods: g. sylvestre leaves extract (18 mg/kg body weight) was orally administered for 30 days to normal and streptozotocin (stz) diabetic rats. results: stz-diabetic rats exhibited a significant increase in plasma glucose, liver function enzymes [alanine aminotransaminase (alt) and aspartate aminotransaminase (ast)], triglycerides, total cholesterol, ldl-cholesterol malondialdehyde, catalase, reduced glutathione and a significant decrease in insulin, hdl-cholesterol and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase levels. treatment diabetic rats with g. sylvestre leaves extract significantly decreased plasma glucose, alt, ast, triglycerides, total cholesterol, ldl-cholesterol, malondialdehyde and significantly increased insulin, hdl-cholesterol and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase levels compared to untreated diabetic rats. conclusion: it could be concluded that g. sylvestre leaves extract treated diabetic rats’ complications including hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress.