Antidiabetic Activity of Rotula aquaticaLour Roots in Streptozotocin InducedDiabetic Rats

The study was designed to evaluate antidiabetic activity on methanolic extracts of Rotula aquatica Lour roots in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The roots of Rotula aquatica Lour were extracted with methanol and evaluated for their antidiabetic activity in Streptozotocin induced diabetic rats at doses levels of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight. The lowering of blood sugar levels as well as percent blood glucose reduction were calculated and compared with the standard glibenclamide (0.45 mg/kg b.w.). Preliminary phytochemical screening was also conducted for occurrence of compounds. The oral administration of 400 mg/kg b.w. of methanolic extract of roots of Rotula aquatica showed more significant (P<0.01) decrease in blood glucose levels at 4 and 8th hrs and highly significant (P<0.001) decrease in blood glucose levels at 8th hr. The methanolic extracts of Rotula aquatica roots showed good activity at a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight .Phytochemical screening revealed presence of triterpenes and tannins in plant extracts.