Efficacy of aqueous extract of Stevia rebaudiana bertoni leaves in rats with streptpzotocin induced diabetes mellitus

Medicinal plants are becoming very popular for the treatment of different diseases all over the world. Some medicinal plants are being used for the treatment of diabetes. The present study investigated the effects of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) leaves in terms of their hypoglycemic activity and effects of Glimepiride (800pg/kg ) considered as a standard drug. The' effects of aqueous extracts of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) leaves was evaluated in the Streptozotocin (STZ; 55 mg/kg b. wt., as single intraperitoneal injection) induced diabetic rats and for this, test extracts were administered orally once a day, after 15 days of STZ-dosing, at lml/kg, 2m1/kg and 3m1/kg b. wt. dose levels for 3 weeks. CharTges in the blood glucose levels and body weights were measured and the results were compared statistically with control group by using Student's unpaired t-test. The aqueous extracts of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) leaves, like Glimepiride although less, showed significant (p<0.05) hypoglycemic effect and extracts at 3m1/kg b. wt. showed more potent effects. The extracts also nonsignificantly (P>0.05) reduced body weight, as compared to the significant (p<0.001) increasing body weight effect of Glimepiride. From this experiment it was observed that Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) leaves extracts had hypoglycemic and body weight reducing effect. Detail study is needed for definite conclusion.