Anti-diabetic activity of aqueous root extract of Anacyclus pyrethrum L. In streptozotocin-induced- diabetic rats

The present work is to study for the first time the anti-diabetic properties of aqueous extract of roots of Anacyclus pyrethrum L. in normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and to achieve a primary pharmacological screening contained in the aqueous extract. A total of 20 rats including 10 diabetics and 10 normal rats were used for this study. The anti-diabetic activity of aqueous extract of roots was evaluated by using normal and STZ induced diabetic rats at a dose of 250 mg/kg p.o daily for 21 days. Blood glucose levels were measured using GOD-POD. Screening for major classes of phytochemical was done using standard chemical tests. Per oral administration of the aqueous extract of the roots (250 mg/kg body weight) to streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats exhibited a significant antihyperglycemic activity in STZ-induced diabetic rats, whereas in normal rats no hypoglycemic activity was observed. Phytochemical screening showed a wealth in compounds: Tannins, saponins, alkaloids, amino acids, steroids and terpenoids. Aqueous extract of roots exhibit attractive properties and can therefore, be considered a promising candidate for future application as alternative therapeutic agents, particularly in the development of anti-diabetic drugs.   Key words: Anacyclus pyrethrum L, anti-diabetic activity, streptozotocin, aqueous root extract, phytochemical screening.